Delaying renewable energy will make it costlier eventually [News]

By Dennis Posadas, The Business Times, 26 Nov 2011.

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 134-page report on the state of energy in the world. In the World Energy Outlook 2011 report, it said the growth of renewable energy is underpinned by subsidies that will rise from US$64 billion in 2010 to an estimated US$250 billion in 2035 – a lifeline that cannot be taken for granted in this time of fiscal austerity.

According to IEA chief economist Fatih Birol, ‘delaying action is a false economy. For every US$1 of investment in cleaner technology that is avoided in the power sector before 2020, an additional US$4.30 would need to be spent after 2020 to compensate for the increased emissions.’

This means that if we wait nine years more to act, costs to shift to clean energy can multiply by as much as four times what it is now.

However, the Singapore and Philippine governments do not take subsidies as a means to encourage renewable energy sources. Read more

Renewables 2011 Global Status Report

Global Renewable Energy now accounts for 16% of final energy consumption in 2009 and for about a quarter of global power capacity from all sources. Despite the recession, there is momentum in the sector with total global investment in renewable power and fuels increasing by 32% over the previous year to $211 billion from $160 billion.

These are the figures stated in the Renewable 2011 Global Status Report (REN21). Produced annually since 2005, the report is targeted at policy makers, industry and other stakeholders.

Main findings of REN21

• In 2009, renewable energy supplied an estimated 16% of global final energy consumption. Fossil fuels made up the lion’s share at 81% with nuclear at 2.8%.
• However, of the 16%, 10% is still accounted for by traditional biomass, primarily used for cooking and heating in rural areas of developing countries. Hydropower accounts for 3.4% with other renewables (wind, solar, modern biomass, geothermal and biofuels) at 2.8% in 2009.
• Total investment in renewable energy reached a record $211 billion in 2010, up from $160 billion in 2009, including asset finance, venture capital, private equity investment, public markets and both corporate and government R&D. China attracted nearly $50 billion, making it the leader, followed by Germany, the United States, Italy and Brazil. India ranked 8th in the world for renewable energy investment which rose to US$3.8 billion mainly for wind power projects ($2.3bn) and $400 million each for solar and biomass power (including waste-to-energy). Read more

Clean Energy Expo Asia 2011 Continues to Empower the Sustainable Energy Revolution [Press Releases]

Singapore, 3 November 2011 – The third Clean Energy Expo Asia (CEEA) ended today, after three days of high-level dialogue and intensive networking. Held from 1 to 3 November 2011 at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the annual sustainable energy Trade Fair and Conference successfully attracted 5,283 clean energy industry players from 62 countries, more than double the number of attendees in the inaugural edition in 2009.

As the platform of choice for industry players in the technology, services, finance and government sectors in the clean technology industry, Clean Energy Expo Asia hosted close to 170 international exhibitors and over 130 distinguished speakers. Jointly organized by Koelnmesse and the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), Clean Energy Expo Asia was held as part of the Singapore International Energy Week. Read more

Clean energy takes center stage this week in Singapore

Clean energy discussions and solutions for the Asian region take center stage this week in Singapore as the annual Clean Energy Expo Asia (CEEA) 2011 Trade Fair and Conference begins today till 3 Nov, and is officially launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

Jointly organised by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and Koelnmesse, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), CEEA is the leading platform in Singapore that gathers clean energy industry players and government leaders from around the world together to share and discuss knowledge, issues, technologies and innovative solutions that will help shape the future of clean energy in Asia.

CEEA Trade Fair and Conference

This year’s CEEA Trade Fair hosts about 170 exhibiting companies from 26 countries, with 6 country pavilions from Canada, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Switzerland. Exhibitors showcase clean energy solutions including solar energy, energy efficiency, biomass, biogas, biofuel, and electric vehicles.

The CEEA Conference will see over 130 international speakers share their insights on the future of energy through discussion topics on clean energy outlook, renewable energy technologies and commercialization, sustainable mobility, clean energy financing, project case studies, and energy efficiency. Read more

NTU team to harness power of nature [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 8 Oct 2011.

SAILORS and windsurfers know the wind is stronger and faster once they are farther away from Singapore’s coast, although how much stronger and faster has never been clear.

But that should change, as the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is now mapping the country’s wind patterns as part of a push for world-class, clean-energy research and development (R&D) here.

It has put measuring stations atop several Housing Board blocks and on offshore islands.

It is also studying the patterns of waves, tides and currents around the island.

And next year, the institute will test turbines to tap these clean-energy sources. Read more

Clean energy sector to get $195m injection [News]

The clean energy industry will receive $195 million over five years to sharpen its capabilities in areas such as smart grids, green buildings and carbon capture and utilisation.

More than that, it will also push the industry closer to its 2015 targets of $1.7 billion in economic value-add and 7,000 skilled jobs.

The sum will be granted to the inter-agency Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO), led by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Energy Market Authority.

The $195 million will support ‘competitive grants’ for ‘bottom-up innovations’; strengthen public research centres in industry-oriented innovation; and help boost the commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results and develop postgraduate talent working on new research. Read more

Another S$195m funding for R&D in energy sector [News]

Another S$195 million will be allocated to promote research and development in the energy sector in Singapore over the next five years.

The inter-agency Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO) said on Tuesday that the additional funding will help accelerate the growth of the clean energy industry in Singapore.

The target is for the sector to contribute S$1.7 billion of economic value-add and 7,000 skilled jobs by 2015. Read more

The Green Business Times Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

Singapore is well-known as a clean and green city with the government striving for environmental sustainability while growing the economy. The government has also identified Environmental and Water Technologies (EWT) including Clean Energy as strategic areas where Singapore has a competitive edge and which could generate future economic growth.

To accelerate the growth of the environmental industry and to maintain Singapore’s image as a clean and green city, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport, waste minimisation, environmental management system, environmental initiatives, clean development mechanism, and green IT.

The funding and incentive schemes are provided by government agencies such as:

• Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
• Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• National Parks Board (NParks)
• PUB, the national water agency (PUB)
• SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

To help businesses understand what’s available, we have compiled a list of 33 government funding and incentives for the environment:

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)
2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)
3. One-Year Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Energy Efficient Equipment and Technology (One-Year ADAS)
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. SCEM Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Energy Research Development Fund (ERDF)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Market Development Fund
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)
12. Green Mark Incentive Scheme – Design Prototype (GMIS-DP)
13. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
14. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
15. A*STAR-MND Joint Grant Call
16. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs
17. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops
18. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
19. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
20. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme
21. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
22. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)
23. Innovation Voucher Scheme
24. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
25. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
26. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
27. Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES+)
28. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
29. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
30. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)
31. 3P Partnership Fund
32. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
33. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

If we missed out any funding or incentive scheme, do let us know. Thanks! Read more

The 2nd Clean Energy Expo Asia Highlights the Continued Interest and Growth of Clean Energy in Asia

The second Clean Energy Expo Asia Trade Fair and Conference was officially opened today by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Clean Energy Expo Asia is jointly organized by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and Koelnmesse, and is part of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). This year, there are more than 170 exhibitors, over 115 international speakers and about 5,000 participants from over 40 countries, in the Technology, Services, Finance and Government sectors. There is a 30% increase in participation from last year and the exhibition space at the Trade Fair has also doubled. Read more

Clean Energy Expo Asia 2010 set to drive sustainable energy growth in the region

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, total new investment in sustainable energy worldwide reached $162 billion in 2009, nearly four times of 2004. With $65 billion worth of new financial investment in clean energy already registered in the first half of 2010, some 22 percent up on the same six months of 2009, the market seems to be on an upswing. What is significant is the distinct shift in focus from Europe and North America to Asia-Pacific, with a sharp increase in financial investment from $31.3 billion in 2008 to $40.8 billion in 2009. Some $188 billion in government stimulus packages was also allocated to greening and climate change measures in 15 major economies between the autumn of 2008 and early 2010, with Asia-Pacific accounting for over 45 percent of this spending[1]. Read more

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