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Renewables

Sembcorp to provide solar power for UBS’s Singapore offices for a decade

12 September 2019

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Singapore

SEMBCORP Industries and UBS have signed a long-term solar energy deal which will see the energy player supplying renewable power to support the bank’s Singapore operations over the next 10 years.

This will be done through the sale of all surplus power generated by over 15,000 offsite rooftop solar panels totalling 6.3 megawatt-peak in capacity.

These panels will be installed on top of a 40,000 square metre exhibition hall in Singapore by December 2019, Sembcorp said in a regulatory update on Thursday. All surplus solar energy generated from these panels have been bought exclusively by UBS.

The partnership will run 25 per cent of UBS’s annual consumption across all its Singapore offices, replacing some 20 million kilogrammes of carbon emissions in 10 years. By 2020, the bank is planning to have its entire Singapore operations run fully on renewable energy.

Koh Chiap Khiong, Sembcorp’s head of Singapore, South-east Asia and China (Energy), said that with the UBS deal, the group is pleased to have its first renewable energy partner in the financial industry.

UBS Singapore’s country head August Hatecke, added: “As a global firm, UBS strives to go beyond our duty to protect the environment and continually improve our systems to ensure responsible behaviour in all aspects of our operations,” Mr Hatecke said.

The move comes months after UBS announced plans in April to bring together its Singapore-based businesses to a new UBS office campus. This is a prime property at 9 Penang Road featuring customised health and well-being facilities as well as innovative future workplace concepts.

This hub will be supported by the bank’s tech and operations hub in Changi, both of which will be powered by renewable energy.

Sembcorp said the contract is not expected to have a material impact on the group’s earnings per share and net asset value for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2019.

Sembcorp shares closed at S$2.21 on Wednesday, up six Singapore cents or 2.8 per cent.

Electricity/Power Grid ,
Energy Cooperation

Cambodia and Laos to sign 2,400-megawatt power deal today

12 September 2019

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Cambodia ,
Lao PDR

Cambodia and Laos will sign an agreement today under which the Kingdom will purchase 2,400 megawatts from its neighbour, with the first transfer scheduled for 2024.

For in depth analysis of Cambodian Business, visit Capital Cambodia
.

The power deal, which will be valid for 30 years, was approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers.

Tomorrow’s signing ceremony will be presided over by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Laotian counterpart Thongloun Sisolith, whose two-day visit to the Kingdom begins tomorrow.

The 2,400-MW energy deal will be signed by Electricite Du Cambodge (EDC) and Laos’s electricity authority. Alongside this agreement, a deal on electricity cooperation will be signed by the countries’ ministries of mines and energy.

The power transfers will begin in 2024. 300 MW will be purchased in 2024, followed by 600 MW in 2025 and 2026, and 900 MW in 2027, said Victor Jona, director-general of energy.

Two companies – Sekong Power and Mineral Company Limited and Xekong Thermal Power Plant Company Limited – will produce and export the energy to Cambodia at 7.7 cents per kilowatt hour.

Mr Jona remarked that energy consumption in the Kingdom has increased dramatically in recent years due to the boom in construction.

“Demand for power has surged by 17 to 20 percent every year in the last few years. This is the result of a good political situation that encourages investment,” Mr Jona said.

Cambodia’s power demand is expected to continue rising by 20 percent every year, Mr Jona said, adding that the Kingdom will be able to keep up with this demand by increasing imports as well as domestic production.

Mr Jona noted that the energy purchased under the deal will be transferred through a high-voltage transmission line system that will soon be under construction. The energy will be transferred from the border with Laos to Phnom Penh, he said.

After conducting feasibility studies on the project, EDC will soon open tendering to award the construction of the network to a private company, according to Mr Jona.

In June, Prime Minister Hun Sen asked Japan for assistance to finance the transmission network.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement yesterday said Mr Hun Sen and Mr Sisolith will discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as border issues.

“After the meeting, the two Prime Ministers will preside over the signing ceremony of a number of documents, and then hold a joint press announcement,” the statement said.

Mr Sisolith will also pay courtesy calls on Acting Head of State Say Chhum, who is Senate president, and National Assembly President Heng Samrin.

“The official visit of HE Thongloun Sisoulith to Cambodia will significantly contribute to further strengthening and expanding the long-lasting relations of traditional friendship, solidarity, fraternity and fruitful cooperation between Cambodia and Laos,” the statement noted.

Mr Sisolith will lay wreaths at the Independence Monument and pay tribute at the Royal Memorial Statue of the Late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, it said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, yesterday express support for peaceful negotiations between both countries.

“It is important that the Lao prime minister’s trip to the Kingdom this time is to solve the ongoing border issues between both countries,” he said. “The confrontation of both armies along the border, despite not growing into armed clashes, still affected development and relations between both countries.”

Mr Phea urged both countries to continue negotiations to solve the border issues rather than resorting to confrontation between both armies.

“The border issues must be solved through peaceful negotiations,” he noted. “The Cambodia-Lao border dispute stems from a map drawn up by the French Protectorate and needs more time to be resolved.”

According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Cambodia consumed 2,650 MW last year, of which around 50 percent was produced from local hydroelectric dams. The rest came from local coal-fired or diesel power plants, or was imported from Vietnam, Thailand, or Laos.

Renewables

Thailand’s national utility launches Ethereum-based renewable energy platform

11 September 2019

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Thailand

Thailand’s state-owned energy company, PTT, has partnered with the nonprofit Energy Web Foundation to create a new blockchain-based renewable energy system.

Their goal is to develop a regional energy solution that’s compliant with the International Renewable Energy Certificates Standard (I-REC), which provides certificates to companies verifying that their green energy is legitimate and derived from a reliable and sustainable source. The platform will be built on the Energy Web Chain, a new Ethereum-based, public, “proof-of-authority” blockchain.

Renewable energy certificates (REC) are growing in popularity among multinationals in the region, according the EWF, and these companies are looking to track and improve the sustainability of their renewable energy sources through their supply chains. And that’s where its Energy Web Chain comes in.

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In an interview with Decrypt, Jesse Morris, chief commercial officer of the Energy Web Foundation (EWF), explained that the Energy Web Chain uses a unique proof-of-authority approach to consensus, which he said keeps energy demand very lean and improves block times and overall scalability.

“We founded the Energy Web Foundation and launched the Energy Web Chain because we see blockchain technology as a crucial accelerant of the global energy transition toward distributed, customer-centric, low-carbon systems,” said Morris. “In a fast-approaching future world in which there are billions of connected devices at the edge of the power grid—rooftop solar and battery systems, electric vehicles, smart thermostats—blockchain becomes a powerful enabler to tap into the value these assets can deliver.”

Up to now, Thailand and its neighbors have been “largely untapped markets” for renewable energy certificates that meet international standards, according to the EWF, with the majority stemming from the U.S. and Europe. However, Thailand has been moving steadily toward greater clean energy consumption over the past few years. In 2018, Thailand generated about 28 million megawatt hours in clean electricity, and that figure is expected to double by 2037, according to the Foundation.

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Several steps come with building a renewables program through Thailand’s PTT, said Morris, including establishing a “digital identity.” Morris explained that several physical assets, i.e. wind farms and solar farms, need to connect to the Energy Web Chain and interact via their digital identities, including generating energy attribute certificates in real-time as they produce renewable energy.

The Energy Web Chain’s blockchain marketplace must then sync up with the database of renewable energy certificates, and match buyers and sellers depending on their specific energy needs, the Foundation’s COO explained.

While green energy usage is on the rise around the world, simply offering renewable energy isn’t enough any more, said Morris. The market requires proof that specific companies are in compliance with the energy standards of their own given jurisdictions or industries, he explained.

“Demand for renewable energy certificates comes from their importance in markets,” said Morris. “Certificates are the principal way nations certify they are achieving renewable energy targets; how electric utilities certify they are reaching policy and regulatory-mandated renewable energy standards, and how corporations certify they’re meeting sustainability and renewable energy targets in their reporting.”

Thailand’s blockchain REC marketplace is expected to go live by May 2020.

Electricity/Power Grid

Thailand Begins Work on Transmission Line

11 September 2019

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Thailand

TATA Projects Ltd. recently executed an important 41.42-km transmission line project of 500 kV in Thailand.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) recently awarded the project to a consortium of TATA Projects Ltd. and TEDA Co. Ltd. The total line length is 78.5 km out of which the TATA Project-TEDA consortium executed 41.42 km.

This 500-kV Roi Et 2 – Chaiyaphum 2 Transmission Line is part of the Transmission System Improvement Project in north eastern, lower northern, central regions, and Bangkok area. It will assist in enhancing system security.

The resources and expertise for the execution of the 500-kV transmission line are limited within Thailand. There are very few subcontractors who can work on 500-kV projects. This project has provided opportunities to small Thai subcontractors (115 and 230 kV) to work for 500 kV under the guidance of TATA Projects’ team. This will ultimately help increase resources, especially manpower skills in Thailand for execution of 500-kV projects in the future.

Completion of this project will support the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) system under the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) of the government. During the project’s erection and stringing activities, the TATA Projects consortium used the safety fall protection system. The equipment related to the safety fall protection system was imported from India.

“We are proud to successfully execute this prestigious project within schedule timeline,” said Vivek Gautam, COO, transportation and transmission and distribution (T&D), TATA Projects Ltd. “The project will assist us in securing more such projects in this increasingly important part of the world.”

Renewables

Thai Electric Utility PTT, Energy Web Foundation Partner On Blockchain-Based Renewables Platform

11 September 2019

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Thailand

Thailand-based multinational energy conglomerate PTT has teamed with the Energy Web Foundation (EWF) to develop a new blockchain-based renewables platform.

PTT conducts integrated energy and petrochemical business as Thailand’s energy company. PTT’s mission is to equally respond to all stakeholders, including Thailand, community and society, shareholders, customers, business partners, and employees.

EWF is a global nonprofit that fosters value creation in the energy sector by building and promoting an open, decentralized software infrastructure built around blockchain technology. EWF’s enterprise-grade blockchain, called Energy Web Chain (EWC), aims to ensure interoperability, reduce costs and complexity, align currently dispersed blockchain initiatives, and facilitate technology deployment through easy-to-implement solutions.

In a press release, PTT said it is working with the EWF on a new blockchain-based solution that will support corporate renewable purchases in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region. The platform will reportedly be built on the Energy Web Chain and leverage the EW Origin family of open-source software development toolkits to create a regional solution compliant with the International REC Standard (I-REC).

“In such emerging renewables markets as Thailand and ASEAN more broadly, I-REC has proven the standard of choice,” the firms said. “PTT and EWF’s new blockchain-based solution will bidirectionally sync with the I-REC database managed by the Green Certificate Company.”

Worawat Pitayasiri, senior executive vice president, Innovation and Digital, PTT, said that the new platform will benefit both corporate renewable energy buyers and renewable energy developers.

“It will better match demand with available supply, help corporate buyers to achieve their sustainability goals more easily, create a supplemental revenue stream for already-operating renewable energy assets, and unlock new investment in additional renewable energy throughout the region,” said Pitayasiri “We are proud to create this journey and unleash the potential of renewables in Thailand and the region.”

According to PTT, it has already demonstrated a successful transaction on an early test version of the application. GPSC’s 5 MW solar farm located at the Chanthaburi Shrimp Farmer Cooperative successfully transferred 431 I-RECs (MWh) via PTT’s renewables platform and the Energy Web Chain to 3Degrees, a San Francisco-based trading house that was procuring the I-RECs on behalf of a client in Thailand. PTT and 3Degrees are both EWF Affiliates. The target delivery date for the complete PTT Renewables Marketplace Platform is May 2020.

“The marketplace we’re co-developing with PTT will help to connect the supply and demand that we know is there, while doing so with the data transparency, reporting credibility, and ease that is so important to emerging EAC markets,” said Jesse Morris, chief commercial officer of EWF.

Energy Cooperation

Strengthening Malaysia-UAE ties

11 September 2019

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and United Arab Emirates have received a Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have received a proposal that could pave the way for companies to extend their market reach in both countries as well as lead to “massive” investments.

Besides promoting deeper ties between the two countries, the idea is to replicate the government-to-government deal between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia that led to Saudi Aramco investing US$7 billion (RM29.17 billion) in Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development refinery project in Johor.

A source said the proposal would see both governments identifying investment opportunities in not just oil and gas, but also the renewable energy, infrastructure and tourism sectors.

Prominent names like Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Petronas could be involved, said the source.

Malaysia and UAE had previously signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Committee for Cooperation (JCC) in November 2017 to boost economic development and enhance bilateral relations.

However, the first JCC meeting did not take place.

Sources said the new proposal entailed the setting up of a Joint Investment Committee (JIC) that would be co-chaired by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and UAE Energy and Industry Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei.

Similar to JCC, JIC is aimed at enhancing economic relations between Malaysia and UAE.

Azmin said earlier on his social media he had the opportunity to discuss the JIC establishment with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He is in Abu Dhabi with the Malaysian delegation for the 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable and the 24th World Energy Congress.

His trip to UAE follows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s special visit to Abu Dhabi in June.

“The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has total assets of more than US$800 billion while Mubadala has more than US$70 billion to spend and Malaysia could gain a portion of that,” said the source.

“The government is also looking for good investment opportunities in UAE for Malaysian companies.”

The JIC’s role, among others, would be to help encourage investments in both countries, said another source.

“The JIC will definitely happen this time around. The government is working on it and it is expected to be ready in the next couple of months,” they added.

Others

How tech paves way for sustainable future

11 September 2019

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Singapore

From high-tech systems that allow farmers to predict yield and waste to recyclable food packaging material, Singapore is looking to technology to overcome challenges such as climate change, pollution and the over-consumption of resources.

“Science can shed light on the most appropriate pathways towards a sustainable future, while technology can help us get there more efficiently,” said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli yesterday at the Leaders in Science Forum, organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), developer JTC Corporation, and the National Research Foundation (NRF).

“Climate change, the over-consumption of resources, pollution of the air, land and water; these are all pushing our planet to a breaking point, threatening our very existence,” he added.

Singapore is moving towards a circular economy in which resources are reused again and again, so that new resources do not have to be diverted to making fresh products.

Last week, the Resource Sustainability Act was passed in Parliament, providing regulatory teeth for the Government to compel large firms to reuse and recycle food, electronic and packaging waste.

Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the event, Dr Lee Chee Wee, director of the Aquaculture Innovation Centre at Temasek Polytechnic, likened technology to weapons in Singapore’s quest for greater food security – echoing an analogy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong used in his National Day Rally speech.

Dr Lee said: “Similar to how soldiers cannot fight a battle barefoot, farmers must invest in the latest technology to overcome constraints in land.”

A*Star’s Urban and Green Tech Office executive director Alfred Huan said science and technology can help. Waste sorting, for example, can be made easier and more efficient. “This will allow waste to be treated and reused, and brought back into the manufacturing cycle,” he said.

“Getting the public to accept that sustainability has to be a way of life, that they all have to play a part, is also important,” he added.

NRF chief executive Low Teck Seng said: “Science enables us to make informed decisions as we develop policies for a sustainable Singapore.”

Science, technology and engineering are key, be it in terms of growing sustainably and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint, or adapting to climate change’s impact, he said.

For instance, he said, small island states such as Singapore are vulnerable to rising sea levels. Therefore, data is needed to determine how Singapore can protect its coastlines, and the impact of development on the environment and biodiversity.

To this end, the NRF’s Marine Science Research and Development Programme aims to spur research into how Singapore can cope with challenges such as climate change, heavy shipping and urbanisation.

The NRF will also work with the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, which will drive the development of the national climate science research master plan, Professor Low said.

The public sector is also leveraging science to guide its policies, said Mr Masagos. His ministry will set up a climate science research programme office next year to strengthen local climate science capabilities.

Eco Friendly Vehicle

Shell Adds EV Chargers to Singapore Service Stations

11 September 2019

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Singapore

Shell Singapore is getting into electric-vehicle charging in Southeast Asia.

Shell Recharge is the company’s EV-charging operation at its service stations, and by October it will be available at 10 Shell stations – close to 20% of its retail network in Singapore.

The Shell Recharge 50-kW rapid direct-current chargers typically provide 80% charge in about 30 minutes and are priced at 55 Singapore cents ($0.40) per kWh.

Shell Retail Singapore General Manager Aarti Nagarajan says the chargers are compatible with most EVs in the Pacific Ocean city-state.

“Our insights show that Singaporeans worry about lack of sufficient and fast-charging options for EVs,” Nagarajan says in a statement.

“With Shell Recharge, customers can easily charge their EVs while they enjoy our air-conditioned shops and pick up a coffee, a fresh pastry, a ready-to-go meal or a quick snack.”

A Shell-commissioned study found 52% of Singaporeans are deterred from buying an EV because they think there are not enough charging stations in Singapore.

“To meet the country’s climate action goals, Singapore needs more and cleaner energy solutions to power lives, businesses and transport sustainably,” Shell Companies in Singapore Country Chairman Aw Kah Peng says.

“Shell aims to make more of such low-carbon energy solutions available in Singapore in the months and years to come.”

Meantime, the Singapore government has rebuffed a complaint from Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk, who said in a January tweet the island state is being too slow to adopt EVs and the government has been unwelcoming.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli tells The Edge newspaper taking mass transit is a better climate-change solution than tooling around in a Tesla EV.

Zulkifli says Singapore has prioritized greater use of its trains and buses.

Singapore’s trains and buses cover much of the island’s 278 sq. mi. (720 sq. km) with the newest subway routes featuring driverless carriages and several of the most popular bus routes traversed by double-decker carriers.

“What Elon Musk wants to produce is a lifestyle,” Masagos is quoted as saying. “We are not interested in a lifestyle. We are interested in proper solutions that will address climate problems.”

The Edge also reports Singapore’s first on-demand autonomous shuttle public trial launched Aug. 26 and is to run to Nov. 15. It will involve four autonomous vehicles – two minibuses and two smaller shuttles.

Users will hail an autonomous shuttle via a mobile app or at kiosks along a 3.6-mile (5.7-km) route to take them to selected destinations around the island.

A safety driver trained to take control of the vehicle, if necessary, will be on board.

The free service will operate for four hours on weekdays.

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