Cloud based energy management at BEX Asia 2011

Green Koncepts’ energy management solution is used to measure and monitor the live energy consumption of BEX Asia 2011, held in Singapore from 14-16 September at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. BEX Asia 2011 is part of the Singapore Green Building Week and the trade fair showcases the latest green building products and services from about 250 exhibiting companies from 30 countries.

Green Koncepts is a local green tech company providing innovative energy management solutions for enterprises and building owners across various industry sectors. At BEX Asia, Green Koncepts is launching the Koncepts Energy Management, a cloud based energy management system that offers real-time energy intelligence and control through a simple web user interface delivered via a cloud based infrastructure. Read more

HP Awarded National Environment Agency Contract to Benchmark Energy Consumption in Singapore Data Centers [Press Releases]

HP has been appointed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to benchmark the energy consumption of Singapore’s data centers, as part of the Singapore Green Data Center Standard project. The benchmarking study will give insights to the energy performance of data centers in Singapore and establish a baseline to assess the energy and environmental performance of data centers here.

Besides traditional intensive energy consumers like buildings and transportation, data centers are also recognised as heavy users of energy, according to NEA. With growing demand for information and communications technology, data centers are becoming a significant source of energy consumption for corporations in Singapore, presenting a golden opportunity for energy cost reductions.

The benchmarking study is commissioned by the NEA and supported by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Programme Office (E2PO), and will ascertain the energy usage patterns and operating conditions of local data centers, evaluate current industry metrics, and identify areas for standardization and other data center issues. Read more

More data centres going green [News]

Data centres are known for their high energy consumption, roughly 40 to 60 per cent of a data centre’s operating cost comes from energy usage. However, an increasing number of players are looking to reduce that figure and their carbon footprint.

As the IT industry continues to grow, the demand for data storage continues to rise.

Governments globally have introduced varying environmental guidelines for data centres to nudge industry participants in the right direction.

Clement Goh, Managing Director of data centre service provider Equinix Singapore, said: “People are more socially conscious, especially the larger MNCs. The other thing is, with green initiative typically you have higher expenditure to bring in the right equipment, but in the long run you will see a reduction in cost, because the consumption of energy will help to reduce the cost of a data centre. Read more

Singapore ‘Tops in Energy Efficiency Investment Potential’ [News]

Singapore has the greatest investment potential in South-east Asia when it comes to energy efficiency improvements, says a new report funded by the British government.

The benefits of such initiatives are clear, as the investments would help the region’s businesses cut back on energy consumption while maintaining output.

The report, by boutique investment firm ReEX Capital Asia, assessed investment potential in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam based on energy prices, regulatory conditions and the market size in each country. Read more

Adopt Green IT and Green Computing Practices

Green IT or green computing usually refers to making the data centre and other IT system or equipment more energy efficient, and to reduce the environmental impacts associated with IT, such as recycling of computing equipment.

You can adopt the following Green IT practices on energy efficiency in your organisation’s data centre, energy efficient office equipment, energy saving tips and recycling of used electronic equipment. Read more

Use Government Fundings for Energy Audits and Energy Efficient Technologies

There are several funding and incentive schemes provided by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to help companies reduce their costs in engaging ESCOs or investing in energy saving equipment and technologies.

If companies lack the expertise to manage their energy consumption, they can engage an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to conduct an energy audit for their building or facility, identify energy saving measures and implement projects to reduce energy consumption.

The ESCOs provide a full analysis of the energy flows in and out of a facility, suggest improvements to facility design and operation, and provide financing and implementation of energy saving projects. In Singapore, the ESCOs are accredited under the Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) Accreditation Scheme by the Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU). A list of accredited ESCOs can be found at the ESU website.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)

The NEA has a co-funding scheme called the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), to help companies in the manufacturing and building sectors engage accredited ESCOs to conduct energy audits and recommend energy saving measures.

Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs of engaging an ESCO and capped at $200,000 for a single facility or building over a five-year period. Visit the Energy Efficient Singapore website for details on the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme.

Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)

The Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET) provides funding for the Singapore-registered owner or operator of existing or proposed industrial facilities to invest in energy efficient equipment or technologies.

Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs and capped at $2 million per project. Only projects with a payback of more than 3 years and up to 7 years are eligible for funding. Visit the Energy Efficient Singapore website for details on the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET).

Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance

This tax allowance scheme encourages companies to replace old inefficient equipment and invest in energy saving equipment. The capital expenditure on the qualifying energy efficient equipment can be written off in one year instead of three. More info about the tax allowance is available here.

Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)

The Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE) aims to encourage new facilities that are large consumers of energy to integrate energy and resource efficiency improvements into their development plans early in the design stage.

Funding is provided up to 80% of the qualifying costs or $600,000, whichever is lower.

With these funding schemes, your organisation would be able to reduce your costs in conducting energy audits and investing in energy saving equipment and technologies. Save money and energy at the same time!

Also check out The Green Business Times Guide to 30 Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment.

Image credit: lusi; svilen001.

Conduct an Energy Survey to Identify Energy Saving Opportunities

An energy survey is a simple assessment of the energy use in your organisation and the aim is to identify and correct bad energy habits and practices. Start by forming a small team to conduct the energy survey, appointing an energy manager as the team leader and recruiting staff from different departments as team members.

The team will conduct the energy survey by taking a walk around the offices, building and facilities to observe what is happening on the ground, identify bad and wasteful energy use and habits, and identify opportunities for energy saving.

The survey should be conducted at different timings so as to find out the different energy usage throughout the day and at different periods. Surveys can be carried out:

• At a normal weekday during office hours
• At busy and peak hours
• At lunchtime
• After office hours
• During weekends

Use past and current utility bills, meter data, maintenance records and other energy information to help keep track of the energy usage in your organisation.

Here are some areas to take note of during the energy survey:

Office Equipment

• Are office equipment left on standby after office hours and during weekends? Can we switch them off easily?
• Does the computers, printers, photocopiers and other equipment have built-in energy saving features? Are we using these features and do we know how to use them?
• Can we use software to switch equipment off after office hours?
• Are vending machines and water coolers left on at night? Can we use timers to switch them off after office hours?

Lighting

• Are lights switched off in unoccupied areas or if there is sufficient daylight? Can we reduce unnecessary lighting?
• Can we use motion sensors for the stairs and carpark?
• Are lights switched off when no one is in the room or office? Who is responsible to switch off the lights after office hours?
• Are external and facade lighting switched off during the day? Can we adjust the timers to switch off the lighting earlier?
• Are light fittings arranged strategically and light switches labelled properly?
• Are we still using inefficient lighting? Can we change to energy efficient light bulbs and tubes?

Air-Conditioning and Ventilation

• Is the office too warm or cold? Can we adjust the air-conditioning temperature up to about 25 degree Celsius or at a comfortable high temperature?
• When is the air conditioning switched off and on during the day?
• Are the windows and doors open when the air-conditioning is on?
• Are the air-conditioning and ventilation system maintained and serviced regularly? Are the settings optimised and correct?
• Are there obstructions at air inlets and outlets?

Industrial Equipment

• Do boilers, pumps, fans and other equipment have the correct and optimised settings?
• Are the equipment serviced and maintained regularly?
• Are the equipment misused by operators who are not trained properly?
• Are there any compressed air, refrigerant or steam leaks?
• Are there opportunities to tap waste heat from equipment and exhaust gases?

After the energy survey, look at the findings and decide what actions to take. Implement the no-cost or low-cost actions first, such as educating employees, changing habits and practices, proper maintenance of equipment, changing energy settings and removing unnecessary lighting.

Next, consider the higher-cost actions such as installing new energy efficient lighting and equipment, and using energy saving technologies.

Remember to keep the management and employees informed of the energy survey findings, actions taken and energy savings.

Image credit: dlnny; olimohd; lockstockb.

Nokia Virtual Eco-Rountable

Nokia held its first Virtual Eco-Roundtable in Singapore last week and we were invited to attend the event and hear Nokia’s global and Southeast Asia Pacific (SEAP) executives speak on environmental sustainability and its commitment to the environment. The discussion was held in Nokia’s videoconference room, the Halo Room, as some speakers were presenting from the Nokia HQ in Finland.

The presentations and speakers include:

• Introduction by Chris Carr, Vice President, Sales, SEAP
• Nokia Environmental Strategy by Markus Terho, Director, Environmental Affairs, Markets
• SEAP Environmental Programs by Francis Cheong, Regional Manager, Environmental Affairs, SEAP
• Environmental Design by Tiina Karhu, Senior Specialist, Design Strategy, Nokia Design
• Packaging Design by Ulla Uimonen, Head of Packaging Design, Nokia Design

We learned 2 key points from the Nokia Virtual Eco-Roundtable: 1) Nokia is Integrating Sustainability into the Business and 2) Nokia is Advocating Sustainable Choices. Read more

Green Business Times Interview – HydroBall Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd

Energy conservation and energy efficiency are important and urgent aspects of mitigating climate change. There are many different types of energy saving products in the market, one of which is the Hydroball system developed in Singapore.

To learn more about this innovative product and its development, we have the privilege of interviewing Mr Peter Soh, CEO of HydroBall Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd.

About HydroBall Technics

Incorporated in January 2003, HydroBall Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd has since developed, manufactured and patented the HydroBall automatic tube cleaning system in many countries all over the world. The HydroBall system is a cost-effective solution that eliminates equipment downtime and optimises energy consumption of equipment by automatically keeping heat exchanger tubes perpetually free from scaling and fouling.

HydroBall Technics is engaged in the generation of intellectual property relevant to energy conservation in the area of air-conditioning systems. HydroBall Technics aims to deliver practical conservation solutions with a strong, measurable impact on energy cost management. Spearheading this effort is the Company’s proprietary HydroBall automatic cleaning technology, which the Company aims to make available for commercial distribution in all parts of the world. Read more

The HydroBall System by Hydroball Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd

The HydroBall System is a cost-effective solution for the automatic cleaning of heat exchangers. The system passes customized sponge balls through the heat exchanger tubes to prevent the formation and accumulation of scaling and fouling deposits on the inner surface of the tubes.

Scaling and fouling increases energy consumption due to the degradation of heat transfer. In the HydroBall System, slightly oversized cleaning balls are circulated through the condenser tubes at regular intervals. As the balls pass through the tubes, they scour off all the scale and fouling deposits. This automated cleaning can help to achieve energy savings of 10% to 20%.

The HydroBall System was invented by Hydroball Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd, a distributor and contract manufacturer of energy-saving products and services, and won The Enterprise Challenge Award by the Public Service Division, Prime Minister Office in 2004.

For details about the HydroBall System, visit the company’s website.

Image credit: Hydroball Technics (SEA) Pte Ltd

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