Conference on US Energy Policy and Business Opportunities

Venue: ISEAS Seminar Room, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119614

This conference organised by ISEAS and ESI includes several speakers from US companies such as Global Smart Infrastructures, Nextek Power, Houston Advanced Research Centre, Johnson Controls, and The EMerge Alliance. The topics include US energy policies, smart grids, DC systems and building controls. The companies will also introduce new business developments and technology innovations, and meet potential partners and customers.

Download the conference flyer for more info: [Download not found]

World Energy Outlook 2008 Launch in Southeast Asia

Speaker: Mr Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International Energy Agency

Venue: Casuarina Room, Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350

The Executive Director of the IEA will outline key data and policies from the 2008 edition of the World Energy Outlook (WEO), including new energy projections to 2030 (by region and by fuel type), and key issues such as prospects for oil and gas production, and post-2012 climate scenarios. Details and registration is available here.

Public Policy for Clean Electricity

Speaker: Benjamin K. Sovacool, Research Fellow in the Energy Governance Program, Centre on Asia and Globalization, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Venue: Seminar Room 2-2, Level 2, Manasseh Meyer, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 469C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259772

This seminar discusses the public policy mechanisms to promote clean energy supply and use, and explains why these policy mechanisms must be implemented comprehensively. Details and registration at the LKYSPP website.

Singapore Energy Conference: Assessing the Energy Landscape for Today and Tomorrow by Peter Schwartz

Mr Peter Schwartz, Chairman of the Global Business Network and renowned futurist, gave a keynote address on “Assessing the Energy Landscape for Today and Tomorrow” at the Singapore Energy Conference held last week. He is also a member of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Energy set up by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to “provide insights and perspectives on emerging trends in the global energy arena, and to advise on the strategic directions for the energy sector in Singapore”.

In his presentation, Mr Schwartz focused on five key questions for the energy future:

1. How much will income grow?
2. How much will efficiency contribute?
3. What is the future of conventional oil and gas?
4. How much will greenhouse gas matter?
5. What is the future of low carbon technology?

These five questions will define how our energy future would look like. Let’s take a closer look at Mr Schwartz’s thoughts on the questions. Read more

A Guide to Clean Energy Initiatives and Funding by the Singapore Government

Singapore has identified the clean energy industry as a key growth area since Mar 2007. The clean energy industry is expected to “contribute S$1.7 billion to the GDP and create 7,000 jobs by 2015“. To support our vision of a Clean Energy Hub, there are several clean energy initiatives and funding by the government as shown in the list below:

1. Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO)
2. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
3. Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)
4. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
5. Market Development Fund
6. Singapore Initiative in New Energy Technologies (SINERGY) Centre
7. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund (related funding)
8. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment (related funding)

Read more

Does Singapore need a Ministry of Energy?

The New Paper ponders on whether Singapore needs a new Ministry of Energy to tackle energy issues more holistically and ensure our future energy security. The article says that “energy security lies in a muddy middle zone” and “there’s no one body fully in charge”. It also suggests some ideas on what a Ministry of Energy can do, such as:

• Buy our own oil field
• Buy overseas farms to grow food
• A law to set a minimum temperature in Singapore offices
• Forge closer relations with oil-producing countries

The government’s energy policies on energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy market regulation and energy industry are pursued by the different relevant ministries and agencies. This is understandable as energy issues are often complex and cut across different sectors and industries. Read more