Alternative Energy

by the Singapore Environmental Council (www.sec.org)

1. Pressing energy needs of today

Modern development is exceptionally dependent on the availability of energy. A steady and reliable supply of energy is fundamental for economic and social development, as well as progress for humanity.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that there currently exists almost 1.6 billion people in the developing countries, about one-quarter of the world’s 6 billion population, that do not have access to electricity in their homes. Approximately 2.5 billion continues to rely on traditional biomass inefficiently and unsustainably to provide for their energy needs, posing severe consequences for health, environment and economic development.

Throughout the 20^th century, world energy use has increased more than tenfold and is expected to burgeon further in the 21^st century due to rising industrialization and demand in developing countries. These climbing figures, if continued unchecked, will exacerbate the vulnerability to supply disruptions and price shocks as competition intensifies for the increasingly scarce fossil fuel resources.

The energy sector is the main contributor of emissions of CO₂, the main greenhouse gas. If greenhouse gases are not brought under control, the ensuing rise in temperatures and sea levels will adversely threaten the survival of human communities and natural habitats around the world. The global community now faces the unprecedented challenge of providing universal access to energy while mitigating the climate crisis and boosting energy security at the same time.

2. Winds of change

Fossil fuel stocks are finite and the world’s current pattern of energy consumption and growth are deemed unsustainable in the long term. In recent years, concern for the environment, particularly depletion of fossil fuel reserves and emission of greenhouse gases, has evoked serious debate all over the world. Developing renewable fuels have become a necessity, not only to green the transport sector and reduce carbon emissions, but also to reduce market vulnerability due to oil dependence. Renewable energy supplies are thus deemed more compatible with sustainable development, both in terms of environmental impacts and resource limitations.

In recent times, interest in clean energy production has swelled tremendously with many governments and corporate sectors attempting serious investments in clean energy and sequestering carbon emissions resulting from their businesses. According to New Energy Finance, global investment in renewable power-generation, biofuels and low-carbon technologies rose from US$28 billion in 2004 to US$71 billion in 2006. The efficiency of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic cells has improved dramatically and the price of renewable energy is coming down fast.

Similarly, Singapore has a nascent clean energy sector which has been identified as a key area of growth. In 2007, the government committed S$350 million to develop the clean energy sector and made test-bedding and funding opportunities available through the $20-million Innovation for Environmental Sustainability Fund. This fledging clean energy sector is expected to create 7,000 jobs by 2015 and boost the country’s economy by about $1.7 billion.

The impetus by the Singapore government has clearly attracted the attention of renewable energy bigwigs. Although Singapore’s land area is too small to harness the power of large wind farms effectively, but that has not stopped Denmark’s Vesta, the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines from establishing a research and development centre in Singapore. Conergy, Europe’s largest solar company has also set its base on our sunny shores. Singapore is also part of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), an international alliance consisting of governments, businesses and organisations which aim to accelerate and develop the sustainable energy market globally.

3. Waste in, gas out

Referred to as any organic material made from plants or animals, biomass is versatile and can be converted to other forms of energy. It is a renewable resource and is more evenly distributed across the Earth’s surface when compared to the finite sources; and environmentally friendly technologies now exist to exploit it. Based on UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics’ figures, biomass provides about 14% of the world primary energy supplies, and represents about 80% of the global renewable energy supply.

Energy recovery from biomass in municipal waste is not a new technology. Landfill gas is generated by the anaerobic decomposition of organic refuse deposited in landfills. The gas consists mostly of methane and carbon dioxide together with water vapour and minor quantities of organic compounds. The substantial methane content of landfill gas enables it to be utilised as a fuel for power generation.

In Singapore, municipal waste is sent to the four incineration plants operated by the National Environment Agency. Combustion of the incinerable waste produces heat which in turn generates electricity, providing 2-3 percent of the island’s total electricity generation. Meanwhile, methane gas produced from the digestion of sewage sludge is also used to generate electricity at water reclamation plants.

In Singapore, converting into power the 1,400 tonnes of food waste produced daily has now become a reality. Located in Tuas, this advanced waste processing system is the first of its kind in Singapore and Asia.  This organic waste treatment plant is the brainchild of IUT Global, a Singapore-based niche environmental waste management company.

In bio-methanisation, organic waste is treated by using the biological anaerobic digestion process to produce bio-gas which is fed into gas engines to generate electricity and heat. The residue from the bio-methanisation process, after undergoing a composting phase, is converted into an organic and nutrient-rich plant growth media for agricultural and landscaping purposes.

Mr Edwin Khew, CEO of IUT Global, sees excellent potential in bio-methanisation. “It is a well established process in Europe and North America to convert organic waste into useful materials. As a technology with a positive environmental impact and no associated undesirables, it is a more environmentally friendly alternative to landfilling or incineration.”

In tandem with the Singapore Green Plan 2012, Mr Khew hopes to push the local food waste recycling rate from the current 8 percent to the national target of 30% by 2012. To achieve that, IUT Global has garnered encouraging responses from several commercial establishments such as food courts to share the company’s shared vision for a more sustainable way to manage food waste. It is also working with government bodies such as the National Environment Agency and private organizations to initiate an education process that will eventually involve household participation in food waste segregation programmes.

4. Biofuels – salvation fuel or red herring?

Touted as a viable solution to the vehicular emissions conundrum, biofuels are now rapidly emerging as the prime candidate for petroleum oil replacement in different parts of the world. Derived from organic sources, biofuels for transport consist of bioalcohol such as ethanol or bio-oil such as biodiesel or vegetable oil. Ethanol is the most widely biofuel for transportation, both in ‘low blends’ of gasoline such as E10 and in ‘high blends’ like E85.

Research has also shown that biofuels emit up to 70% less carbon than fossil fuels (BBC). The greatest advantage of biomass, it seems, is its potential as a climate-neutral power source. Although burning biofuels still emit CO₂, but these will be absorbed during crops production. The net CO₂ addition to the atmosphere is believed to be negative and biofuels now holds the reputation of being a salvation fuel.

Unlike Brazil and the United States which have already capitalised on ethanol as biodiesel long ago, several Southeast Asian countries are now spearheading efforts in the biofuels sector. The Biofuels Act, which came into force in Philippines recently, requires a 2 percent blend in all petroleum products. The biodiesel is derived from coconut and sugar, two of the country’s main crops. Thailand does not have any biofuel mandate in place yet, but it is focusing on cassava, a tropical starchy tuber that makes a highly efficient biofuel feedstock.

Green fuels are not in use in Singapore currently, however, a joint venture between Van Der Horst Biodiesel and the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering to build a plant on Jurong Island is likely to enhance Singapore’s status as one of the largest biodiesel production bases in Asia by churning out some 1.5 million tones annually.

Notably, the biofuel boom has sparked off fears of food shortages. There are concerns that these fuel crops will compete with food crops for existing arable and pasture land, thus keeping food prices high. The changing face of food economics could exacerbate starvation and impact on food aid policies adversely in developing countries.

Moreover, many environmentalists have questioned the ‘green’ credentials of biofuels, concerned that the rising demand of biodiesel has fuelled the trend of clearing rainforests to make way for large palm oil plantations. Oil palms are cultivated in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia, however of the approximately 11 million hectares of oil palm plantations worldwide, 6 million hectares are found in Indonesia (WWF, 2006), threatening the displacement of endangered species such as orangutans in their natural habitats.

In response to the strong criticism of biofuels production, development of second generation biofuels, in particular lingo-cellulosic ethanol is underway now. While first generation biofuels are derived from edibles such as sugar cane, palm oil, soya bean and corn, the second generation range consists of non-edibles or discarded plant parts such as agricultural residues, stalks and leaves or wood scraps. Widely believed to be more efficient with more effective utilization of feedstocks and lesser wastage, significant technical challenges still need to be overcome before second-generation biofuels are commercially-viable.  

5. Mastering energy efficiency

Clean energy currently fulfils only 13% of the world’s energy needs (The Economist). We cannot afford to meet rapidly burgeoning energy demands with renewables as the sole panacea. Improving energy efficiency holds the important key to reduce the world’s electricity use and carbon emissions. Together, the co-development of efficiency and renewables will be the planetary best solution against the climate change phenomenon.

Putting into place energy-efficiency regulations is a viable solution, which many governments are and policymakers are considering and adopting. Australia has already implemented policies to phase out incandescent light bulbs. At the same time, California’s stringent regulations on energy-efficiency and emissions have propelled businesses’ incentives in clean energy investment.

By taking full advantage of all the available energy efficiency technologies, we could save xx amount a year in energy costs. The Green Mark Scheme, initiated by the Building and Construction Authority is an initiative augmented in 2005 to steer Singapore’s construction sector towards environmentally friendly buildings by emphasizing energy efficiency and the implementation of renewable energy features.  

Steering towards a renewable energy economy

A clean and secure energy system is no pipe dream. Many renewable energy technologies are already available, but it would be some time before these innovations are commercially-viable and readily embraced. For renewable energy adoption to take flight successfully, long-term, market-oriented, economically-viable and sustainable energy options are needed.

Strong governments and regulatory support, coupled with trade and subsidy policies are critical factors in making a renewable energy economy a reality. In order for Singapore to attain its goal of environmental sustainability, focus should be given to developing green, renewable and energy efficiency technologies.

However, renewables are neither the most comprehensive solution nor the sole panacea to the world’s impending energy crisis. Improving energy efficiency still holds an important key to reduce the world’s electricity use and carbon emissions. Clean energy is a clearly a priority, but efficiency is a virtue.

Will we see a pollution-free renewable energy economy in the future in which fossil fuels and nuclear energy technologies of today become museum pieces of tomorrow? Will humankind successfully mitigate the climate crisis with clean technology?