Singapore Builds on Leadership in Energy Efficiency & Transport

Singapore provides another good example (or three!) for Australia to borrow in the climate change action basket. From a recent visit, editor Ken Hickson noticed a strong emphasis on energy efficiency – for transport and buildings – as well as serious attempts to bring about vastly improved waste management and water management processes. Then there’s a lift that generates kinetic energy – one of the features that helped the Asia Square twin tower development in Singapore win a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Core & Shell Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council.

Report from The Fifth Estate (11 August 2010):

A twin tower development in Singapore designed by designed by Denton Corker Marshall and Architects 61 has been awarded the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Core & Shell Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council.

Developed by MPGA and, the “Asia Square” development, of about 185,800 square metres of office space, is expected to consume about 33 per cent less energy than most standard commercial buildings, saving close to 10 million kilowatts per year. It is also expected to save approximately 40 per cent or 65 million litres of water per year as compared to most standard commercial buildings.

Asia Square’s project director Jeremy Choy says that the development’s sustainable features will provide a healthier working environment that will add value to business.

“Asia Square has been designed for long-term sustainability and to create a healthier working environment for tenants to boost employee productivity. This will enable the future tenants of Asia Square to attract and retain high-value, knowledge-based employees. Very simply, what’s better for people will in the long run be better for business.”

A lift that generates kinetic energy is one of the features that helped the Asia Square twin tower development in Singapore win a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Core & Shell Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council.

Developed by MPGA and designed by Denton Corker Marshall and Architects 61, the development located in the New Downtown section of Singapore’s Marina Bay will feature about 185,800 square metres (two million square feet) of office space as well as a 280 room hotel.

Still under construction, one of Asia Square’s centrepiece features will be a natural light enhancing 100,000 square foot atrium called “The Cube,” featuring a 16 metre-high ceiling and extensive tree planting to help bring overall temperature down.

In terms of energy savings, Asia Square is expected to consume about 33 per cent less energy than most standard commercial buildings, saving close to 10 million kilowatts per year. It is also expected to save about 40 per cent or 65 million litres of water per year as compared to most standard commercial buildings.

Source: www.thefifthestate.com.au

Report from Singapore from the Energy Efficiency Programme Office (E2PO)

How can we address climate change?

Climate change is a global phenomenon and as an island state, Singapore is not spared from the effects of climate change such as warming temperatures and rising sea levels. NEA has commissioned a vulnerability study in consultation with other government agencies to study the possible effects and impacts of climate change on Singapore.

In Singapore, the primary greenhouse gas from human activities is carbon dioxide that is released when fossil fuels such as oil and gas are burnt to meet our energy needs. Our energy demand is expected to grow in the future due to an expanding economy and a growing population. Much of this growing energy demand could be avoided if we use energy more efficiently instead of increasing energy production. Energy Efficiency is therefore an important strategy to reduce our GHG emissions.

In addition to mitigating climate change, there are many benefits to energy efficiency. Energy efficiency goes a long way towards:

• Enhancing our air quality
  In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, the burning of fossil fuels also generates air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. By adopting more efficient technologies or practices we can reduce these pollutants, improve our air quality and secure a better quality of life for Singaporeans.
• Increasing our economic competitiveness
  Improving energy efficiency will result in overal cost savings to businesses and consumers. This helps to cushion the impact of rising energy costs. A more energy efficient economy can help Singapore maintain its competitiveness over the long term.
• Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels
  Singapore is almost totally dependent on imported fossil fuels for her energy needs. Prudent use of energy through energy efficiency measures would help to moderate this dependence and defer the need for installing new energy infrastructure.

Energy Efficiency in Singapore

On an economy-wide level, energy consumption per dollar services gross domestic product ($GDP), or energy intensity, is used globally as an indicator of a country’s state of energy efficiency. Singapore’s energy intensity improved by 15% between 1990 and 2005 due to the adoption of better technology in power generation and the more productive use of energy in other sectors.

Energy Efficiency is a cost-effective means of mitigating GHG emissions. Although energy efficiency makes financial sense, energy efficiency measures may not be implemented due to market barriers such as the lack of information and capability.

To drive energy efficiency improvement in Singapore, the Energy Efficiency Programme Office (E²PO) has been established. The E²PO is an multi-agency committee led by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and comprises the Economic Development Board (EDB), Land Transport Authority (LTA), Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Housing and Development Board (HDB), Infocomm Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Agency for Science, technology and Research (A*Star). The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) are also represented at the committee.

The E²PO has identified the following areas for action in developing a holistic energy efficiency strategy and Masterplan for Singapore:

• Promoting adoption of energy efficient technologies and measures by addressing the market barriers to energy efficiency
• Building capability to drive and sustain energy efficiency efforts and to develop the local knowledge base and expertise in energy management
• Raising awareness to reach out to the public and businesses so as to stimulate energy efficient behaviour and practices
• Supporting research & development to enhance Singapore’s capability in energy efficient technologies

TRANSPORT

Transport solutions can play a critical role in improving the state of energy efficiency of Singapore.  To improve energy efficiency on the move, the E²PO aims to:

• Promote the use of Public Transport

Promoting the use of public transport is a key thrust of LTA’s land transport masterplan.  Public transport is highly energy efficient on a per passenger-trip basis.  Today, the public transport mode share stands at 63% during morning peak hours. LTA intends to increase the public transport mode share to over 70% in the next 10-15 years.  To achieve this, LTA will enhance the public transport infrastructure, improve public transport services and more.

• Promote the use of more energy efficient vehicles

Green Vehicle Rebate:
Green vehicles are more fuel-efficient and emit less air pollutants than their conventional petrol or diesel equivalent. To promote the use of green vehicles, LTA and NEA jointly introduced the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR).  GVR aims to bring about a change in consumer behaviour to support clean emerging technologies, by narrowing the cost differential between a green vehicle and the conventional equivalent model.

Fuel Economy Label:
The Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme (FELS) for Passenger Vehicles is administered by the Singapore Environment Council and supported by NEA. The main objective of this scheme is to raise consumer awareness of fuel economy in passenger vehicles. By making fuel economy information readily available at point-of-sale, consumers would be able to make a more informed decision when purchasing new vehicles.

Information on all vehicles participating in the Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme for Passenger Vehicles is available at the Fuel Economy Database. Drivers may wish to learn about driving tips for better fuel economy here.

• Ease traffic congestion for better fuel economy

Managing road usage to ease traffic congestion is another key thrust of LTA’s land transport masterplan. Traffic congestion is an issue in virtually every urban city in the world. Fuel economy deteriorates during traffic congestion as vehicle speed slows and longer time is needed to transverse the same distance. LTA will continue to manage road congestion through infrastructure development, refinement of car ownership and usage restraint measures such as the Electronic Pricing (ERP) system.

Source: www.e2singapore.gov.sg, www.app.nea.gov.sg and www.lta.gov.sg