To save the earth, know human nature [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 20 Nov 2011.

Two years ago, the National Environment Agency (NEA) did a study of anti-littering measures to find out what really worked.

It turned out that banners reminding people not to litter – an old campaign standby – were ineffective. Now, the NEA has developed new tactics based on the study, such as using gentle social pressure in the form of Litter-Free Ambassadors, and adding bins for the convenience of people.

In environmental policy here, there is a growing recognition that understanding people’s behaviour is more important than sticking dogmatically to campaigns.

And it can be just as important as new, high-tech fixes in getting people to use less fossil fuel.

At the Singapore International Energy Week held at the beginning of this month there was, for the first time, a discussion of the role of behavioural economics in energy use. It was organised by the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute (ESI). Read more

Panasonic ‘eco ideas’ Forum 2011 [Events]

Join Panasonic at the inaugural ‘eco ideas’ Forum at the Singapore International Energy Week 2011

Date: 2 November 2011
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gallery East

Panasonic is pleased to invite you to its inaugural ‘eco ideas’ Forum during the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). Aligned with SIEW’s theme of “Securing Our Future Energy”, this forum will provide C-level executives, Business Owners, Directors and Managers of Energy/Infrastructure/Facilities Management of both MNCs and SMEs an insight to efficient energy management for their manufacturing operations. Read more

Singapore International Energy Week 2011 [Events]

The energy landscape is constantly changing and so must the menu of solutions that tackle energy concerns. Energy solutions which work today might not work tomorrow.

Featuring conference, exhibitions, workshops and networking events, the Singapore International Energy Week 2011 is a week-long, high level platform for energy professionals, policymakers and commentators to discuss energy issues, strategies and solutions.

Join us from 31 October to 4 November to connect with energy leaders, impact the energy debate and define the future of energy.

For more information, visit www.siew.sg

Event Title: Singapore International Energy Week 2011

Date: 31 October – 4 November 2011

URL: http://www.siew.sg/

Location: Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre

Event Description:

Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2011 is a week-long, high-level platform for energy professionals, policymakers and commentators to discuss energy issues, strategies and solutions.

Organised by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) from 31 October to 4 November 2011, this year’s programme centres around the theme “Securing Our Energy Future” and features a comprehensive schedule of energy-focused conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions from a diverse cross-section of energy industry leaders.

Speech by PM Lee at Singapore International Energy Week

Excellencies,

Distinguish guests,

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am very happy to join you this morning for the 3rd Singapore International Energy Week. This year’s event has attracted the largest ever participation from the region and beyond and this strong turnout reflects the growing priority that all countries are placing on energy issues today.

2. We consume energy in the course of almost all parts of our daily lives. It makes possible the way we live, work, play and travel. And ever since the Industrial Revolution and especially over the past century, mankind has relied on cheap supplies of fossil fuels to drive economic progress. But this dependence will be very difficult to be sustained. Read more

New Exhibits and Products at the Singapore International Energy Week

The various Singapore International Energy Week exhibits and the Clean Energy Expo Asia trade fair held currently at Suntec, featured several clean energy solutions, technologies and systems, including solar, wind, energy efficiency, biofuel, waste-to-energy, LED lighting, and hybrid systems. Here are some new exhibits and products that we like: 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

Singapore Preparing For a Smart Energy Economy

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered the annual Singapore Energy Lecture this morning at the 3rd Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). PM Lee spoke about how Singapore is preparing for the new energy future amid uncertainties in future energy prices, a global regime on climate change, and new technologies. Singapore’s challenge is to have energy that is cost-competitive, secure, clean and sustainable. PM Lee outlined four key strategies towards a smart energy economy:

1. Promote Competitive Markets

To promote competitive markets, Singapore will price energy properly and avoid subsidies for households and businesses, and foster competition in the production and supply of energy so as to increase efficiency. PM Lee also said that Singapore should work through the market to cut carbon emissions as pushing for efficiency is limited due to the rebound effect. Therefore, there is a need to impose a charge on consumers to induce them to change their behaviour, and the best approach is to apply a carbon price, whether through a carbon tax or cap and trade scheme. Read more

Singapore International Energy Week 2010

Location: Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre

The annual Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) is a leading energy event that provides a platform for policymakers, business leaders and academics to exchange ideas, strategies and best practices that will help shape global and industry energy agendas. Jointly organised by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Energy Studies Institute (ESI) from 27 October to 4 November 2010, SIEW features a comprehensive schedule of energy-focused conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions from a diverse cross-section of energy industry leaders.

Speakers include: Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore; Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International Energy Agency; Dr. Daniel Yergin, Co-founder and Chairman, IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

Visit the SIEW website for details and registration.

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

SIEW 2009: Plug-In Singapore 2009

Plug-In Singapore 2009 was held recently as part of the Singapore International Energy Week 2009. The conference and expo is organised by the Cleantech Agency and brings together the market players to discuss key electric vehicle issues.

Opening Speech

During the conference, David Tan, Deputy Chief Executive, Energy Market Authority, gave a speech on the Electrification of Singapore’s Land Transport. He highlighted the current global interest in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and that the use of EVs are expected to pick up from 2015 onwards and become fully commercially viable for the mass market after 2020. Even in an alternative energy disadvantaged country like Singapore, we can reduce up to 4% of our land transport sector’s carbon emissions by 2020 with just a 2% EV penetration rate.

To prepare for such a future, Singapore has embarked on a S$20 million EV test-bedding programme, launched in May to provide an open platform for all auto manufacturers and technology companies to examine the infrastructure requirements of an EV system, to test the performance of EVs under local road conditions and in the tropical environment, and to identify related industry and R&D opportunities.

This test-bed will start next year and run for three years, driven by a multi-agency Taskforce, co-chaired by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). As part of the deployment plan for the EV test-bed project, the EV Taskforce has been working with Renault-Nissan, Mitsubishi and other auto manufacturers to secure a supply of EVs for Singapore.

Mitsubishi plans to roll out its i-MiEV model of electric cars next year. So the Taskforce is expecting 50 i-MiEVs to arrive from September 2010, which would cost about S$89,000 – S$99,000 each. Renault-Nissan’s EVs will only be available for commercial sale in 2011. The Taskforce is now looking for interested companies to participate in the test-bed and be an early adopter of EVs in Singapore, under the Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES), jointly administered by LTA and EDB.

Participants will be required to collate data on the performance of the EV such as driving range between charging, ease of charging, annual mileage and total costs of operation. The data collected will be instrumental in evaluating the costs and benefits and overall feasibility of the future adoption of EVs in
Singapore.

The EV Taskforce will also be rolling out a small network of about 50 EV charging stations. A competitive tender will be launched next year to select an EV infrastructure service provider. The EV charging stations will have to be compatible with the EVs produced by the major auto-manufacturers, and the deployment of the stations will be timed to coincide with the actual take-up of EVs under the test-bed.

In addition, EMA, SPRING Singapore and industry partners will be working on a Technical Reference for the public EV charging systems to set minimum standards for the development of EV charging systems and the safe charging of EVs.

Expo

Here are some photos of the exhibitors’ electric vehicles:

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