Greenlots roll out electric vehicle charging platform for the global market

Singapore clean technology company Zeco Systems is taking its electric vehicle (EV) platform global, under its infrastructure arm, Greenlots.

Consisting of Greenlots Point, Greenlots Solar, and Greenlots Sky, Greenlots is offering a complete solutions package which can already easily tap into the existing infrastructure of global cities. These solutions include the on-grid, as well as solar charging infrastructure,  as well as the web-based software which allows a host of monitoring and managing tools that can be operated remotely.

Intent on moving fast this year, the company has outlined that it targets to install Greenlots networks in over 10 countries by the end of 2010. Having partnered with countries such as Austria, Germany, China and Hong Kong, Greenlots has set its sights on other EV “hot spot” countries like India, Japan, Australia, France and Spain, among others.

With the uptake of EVs on the rise due to climate change, pollution and peak oil issues, this is a timely move by the company.

“We have designed Greenlots to be affordable, easy to install and convenient to use. This makes it simple for our global distribution partners to own and operate their own local networks, and for EVs to proliferate,” said Oliver Risse, Managing Director of Greenlots.

Singapore’s Trash Lives in Paradise?

Previously, I never thought about discussing anything on Singapore’s waste disposal system on Green Kampong. My assumption then was that most of this stuff is common knowledge. That was until I told a friend I was going to Pulau Semakau and received a blank look and a sheepish “Umm… where’s that?” reply. I tried my luck with other friends and received more reassuring answers like “Oh that’s where our rubbish goes, right?” but also got thrown off by comments of “Why on earth would you want to visit a stinky rubbish dump?!”

If you had thought about our landfill along similar lines before, be surprised. Pulau Semakau, the place where our rubbish ends up in was called an “island paradise” by a CNN journalist, Francesca de Châtel and recently, a “haven of biodiversity” by Straits Times’ Cheong Poh Kwan. Ok, maybe the descriptions are a bit too lyrical for your taste. Nevertheless, this one of our Southern Islands is still worth a visit, if only just to clear up certain misconceptions.

Let’s be sparing on the facts and figures about P. Semakau landfill here, because there’s actually a one-stop place where you can read your fill. To know more about the history, nature, guided programs, you name it, check out WildSingapore. Just to give a really brief summary, P. Semakau is our only working landfill currently. The landfill, which was designed to be sanitary, takes up 3.5 km² and was formed by enclosing part of the sea between the original Pulau Semaku and Pulau Sakeng. The normal domestic waste gets incinerated first before it is sent there. So most of what ends up in the lagoons is ash. As such, P. Semakau really looks more like a park – odorless, with a sea view, embellished with replanted mangroves and rest shelters.

What goes on in this “island paradise” – other than filling the landfill, of course? First, it’s not quite the Hawaii beach resort if you’re getting your hopes high. And paradise is not easily accessible. You need to join activities organized by designated groups. The assortment of activities ranges from intertidal walks, bird watching to stargazing expeditions.

There are also opportunities to give back to where you have “trashed”. In October this year, Singapore Navy’s Naval Diving Unit sent a team of 96 (likely with many big, strong men?!) to pick up trash from Semakau’s northern shores under a CSR effort called Project Eco Frog. It was an impressive trash collecting operation judging from the photos – I mean, check out their mode of transport!

Also, if Singapore government’s vision comes true, the island is going to be a test bed for renewable energy technologies and a place for ‘green’ recreational and educational activities. Eventually, it may even meet its own water and energy needs. Certainly a worthy aspiration to have and definitely something exciting to look forward to!

Wait a minute…

Let’s take a step back… a big step right back to the basics.

We are in the season to be jolly and really, having a sanitary landfill is something worth rejoicing. There are many places where waste is not pre-treated, where instability can lead to collapse in the rubbish pile, where leachate may flow into the water systems and communities, including children, live near the rubbish and depend on it for a living. Payatas Dumpsite in Quezon City, nicknamed Smokey Mountains for the fumes, is one example of a waste disposal facility, worlds apart from P. Semakau.

While we count our blessings, we definitely should keep the knowledge that P. Semakau’s capacity is limited at the back of our minds. Where will we turn to after that? A second “island paradise”? What’s the economical and environmental cost we will have to pay? Besides, incinerating waste as we do still produces air emissions. So, do consider practicing the 3Rs (reduce, reuse & recycle) more in your lives and make this island paradise last!

Singapore’s Sweet 16% “pledge” to COP15

It’s always good to bring a gift to a party, and it’s heartening to hear that we’re bringing a pledge of 16% cut from “business-as-usual” emission levels by 2020, especially after statements in the preceding two months, and of course, the Straits Times’ Andy Ho’s alarming call for the government not to commit to emission cuts.

The same newspaper says 16% is equivalent to 12 million tonnes (per year, I assume), which is equivalent to “taking a return trip to the moon by plane 6,000 times, or wiping out the equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of Kenya”.

You read it, time to cut down on unnecessary lunar trips. Don’t give in to catchy sales slogans like “Honey, how about a honeymoon on the Moon?” and boycott the Lunar Kiosk at the next NATAS Fair!

However:

Singapore will only commit to this if there is a legally binding global deal that obliges all countries to cut emissions, and if other countries offer significant pledges, said Professor Jayakumar.

Oh well. It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise, since we are a nation that said that it’s own Pledge was not a pledge but an aspiration. Punters pushing for a binding agreement dubbed COP15 “Hopenhagen”, but I guess Singapore’s made it uniquely CHOPE-nhagen.

Also, I would’ve thought a better challenge would’ve been to match the annual carbon footprint of Kenya by 2020.

What is Copenhagen and COP15?

From the (messy) desk of Benjamin (Mr Miyagi) Lee:

There seems to be little or no awareness in Singapore of the Copenhagen Summit. It’s not surprising, given our general attitude that can be summed up as, “we’re a small country, it’s not our problem, let’s see what the big boys do, then we might follow”.

Personally, I’m resigned to the fact that we do not have a framework capable of springboarding Singapore as a global leader in combating climate change despite the many, many opportunities to do so. “Let’s see what the big boys do, ‘cos we’re just a little red dot”. Our inferiority complex is astounding.

Come on, we’re not a little red dot! We’re already global leaders in many areas – we recycle our drinking water, and we’ve got the basic user-pays framework for water consumption that other nations would struggle to implement and therefore take ages to convince people that there are business opportunities in resource conservancy. There are other examples, but I’m beginning to foam at the mouth and that is not a good look.

But for those of us with a modicum of curiosity, you might want to keep abreast of what’s going on at Copenhagen – and then get back to what concerns you municipally – I just wrote to the NEA regarding the lack of recycle bins in my condo even after the management had been ordered by law to comply and supply, but that’s another longish story.

So here’s a useful primer to get you started (and hopefully keep the ball rolling by telling other people):

What is happening in Copenhagen and why is it called COP15?

First of all, COP15 doesn’t refer to COPenhagen.It stands for the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties, which is the highest body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The United States and 191 other countries around the world are all parties to this international climate treaty. And we’re up to the 15th meeting – therefore: COP15.

One of the most well-known COP meetings was COP3 in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, which resulted in the Kyoto Protocol, a document signed by over 180 countries and put into action in February 2005. The protocol set binding emissions targets for greenhouse gases for 37 industrialized countries and the European Union, committing them to reducing their emissions by 7 percent on aggregate against 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.

This year’s conference is taking place from December 7-18th in Copenhagen and is being hosted by the Danish government. Officials from 192 countries, plus a sizable number of non-governmental organizations and a large media contingent will be in attendance….

Read more at nature.org

Going Green from the Ground Up: Environmental NGOs in Singapore

I asked my friends if they know of any environmental NGOs and many rattled off the international ones like WWF (World Wildlife Fund), IUCN, Nature Conservancy etc.

Lesser people know that, other than these big players, there are also a handful of made-in-Singapore environmental organizations. They may not be at the same magnitude, in terms of range of influence or monetary prowess as the international organizations.

Nonetheless, they are doing some pretty good work and contribute to the local environmental movement in one way or another. So, here’s a little introduction to three of these groups.

Nature Society (Singapore)

Nature Society (Singapore) is probably one of the oldest organizations in Singapore dedicated to nature as a cause. It was formerly known as the Singapore branch of the Malayan Nature Society (formed in 1954) and became Nature Society (Singapore) in 1991.

Starting out in Singapore’s developing years, during a time where environmental conservation is virtually unheard of in Singapore, the group has fought many tough battles for Singapore’s nature heritage and paved the way for newer environmental groups.

Key contributions include persuading the government to preserve Sungei Buloh (which has nature reserve status now) and stop the development of part of Pierce Reservoir into a golf course.

Singapore Environment Council

While Nature Society (Singapore) has a green focus, Singapore Environment Council has a more brown focus – on sustainable urban living in Singapore. They are active in engaging corporate groups, schools and communities.

The group is most recognized for administering the Singapore Green Labeling Scheme which award environmentally friendly products with eco-labels. It also has a Schools’ Green Audit program that recognizes good environmental performance in schools. Students are engaged as well as they can take part in the auditing process.

ECO Singapore

ECO Singapore is a relatively young group (established in 2003) with a young target audience. It aims to encourage active involvement in environmental activities amongst youths in Singapore. The society represents Singapore in many youth environmental networks. The volunteer programs and forums they organize are designed to appeal to youths.

This December, ECO Singapore will be sending a delegation of 21 youths to represent Singapore at the international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen. They hope to lobby other delegates, engage with media and work with international youth to affect change in climate change policy.

Hopefully, more and more people will know of and support our local environmental groups. The focus of the environmental scene of late has been skewed towards international agencies and governments, particularly when it comes to climate change. I mean, look at the hype on Copenhagen – all the talks on which country cutting CO2 emissions by how much.

Yes, agreed, it’s all very important. But let’s not forget the many unsung heroes in the grassroots environmental movement too – even in tiny island Singapore. They may not be up for the next Nobel Peace Prize but in terms of engaging the community and influencing changes in everyday lives, they are priceless.

Green vehicles in 2010

This is the Mitsubishi iMiEV 16, one of the vehicles that will be introduced to Singapore roads in 2010 as part of a test-bed programme. We’re not sure how any of us will be able to take part in the programme, which apparently goes towards finding out things like driving time between charges, what type of charging station is optimal and suitable – Currently, different manufacturers have different specifications for charging stations, so you can imagine in the not too distant future, having to carry a giant power adapter – and in general, decide on the future of electric vehicles in Singapore:

“While EVs offer tremendous potential for improvements to both our energy and transportation landscape, there are also uncertainties that we need to manage. At this early stage, it is premature for us to tell whether EVs will eventually take off commercially and replace ICE-based vehicles, or if they will be superseded by other competing technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells.”

Most likely, it also means having to take into consideration the tweaking of the many road and fuel tariffs we have in our current land transport system.

Besides the Mitsubishi iMiEV 16, the other make likely to take up part of the 50 vehicles coming next year is the Detroit Electric, while Renault has announced that their EVs will only be available commercially from 2011.

Our solar energy behind the clouds as India and China commit to targets

One question that some of us always ask is – how come we don’t have array after array of solar panels on our amazingly uniform HDB rooftops?

We import 100% of our fuel for electricity after all, so surely the incentive is there to be at least self-sufficient for power? We did barrage Marina Bay to help reduce our water purchasing from Malaysia didn’t we?

Apparently, them panels are still too expensive, and we do live in a country where everything has to make economic sense before they’re implemented.

In an almost absurd situation, the government is aiming to make the country a clean-energy hub – we will have the world’s largest solar panel factory plant (built by Norway’s REC) in 2015. But until there are better incentives to place these panels on our – albeit shared – roofs, almost every solar panel manufactured here will be exported. [Link]

No, it will be a completely absurd situation until we take the plunge and set clear renewable energy targets.

Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) — India is targeting generation of 20,000 megawatts of solar power by 2022, joining China as the two Asian nations that resist emission caps draft plans to boost renewable energy before next month’s global climate change talks.

[From Bloomberg.com ]

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