Courseworks

A304SE
QUESTION 1 (50 Marks)

Aside from solar energy, what other alternative source of energy,

(wind or wave or other sources) could be use in Singapore to
lessen its dependency on fossil fuel.
a) Evaluate the environmental impact of this alternative source.
Describe the limiting factors for this source of energy.
b) Supply the financial implication (e.g. payback period, taken
into account interest charges) of this source of energy. Cite
examples of other schemes where financial aspects are
considered (Green incentives, etc)
c) You are to cite and put in your references or sources.

Prepare a 2000 words write-up for this question

QUESTION 2 (50 Marks)

Prepare a 2000 words write-up that

discusses the implications of new
innovations of information and control
technology on electric power systems
(i.e. Smart Grid).
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY in Singapore
ABSTRACT
With oil prices punching the US$100
price barrier in the month of November
2007, the topic of Alternative Energy has
become more a reality to the Singapore
government and us.

As a start, Singapore unveiled a S$350

million blue print to drive Alternative
Energy in the sectors-, of research and
development, enhancing environmental
sustainability, maintaining economic
competitiveness, relevant energy usage,
and attracting multi-nationals to set base
in Singapore. With the set up of
SINERGY at Fusionpolis and the latest Pump and tanks for vehicles using biodiesel.
$1.2 billion investment from Neste Oil Picture courtesy of NLB http://nlb.onasia.com
Corporation (Finland), Singapore is on
track to cultivating a greener city. We
should hence play our part in reading
more about the topic and also start to
persuade each other to use Alternative
Energy.

NLB
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY in Singapore

NEWS COVERAGE
Do we, as Singaporeans, really
know what ‘ALTERNATIVE
ENERGY’ is all about? What are its
implications to the environment,
economy, politics, and our future? Source:
Alternative energy, had been http://www.climateprotect.org/
technologically immature and
financially expensive, it has became
a serious consideration in the world
following many studies by global
warming groups such as Ex-Vice
president of the United States Mr. Al
Gore. Oil prices punching through
the US$100 price barrier in the
month of November 2007, made
this topic more relevant to your
everyday economy

NLB
Singapore unveiled a S$350million Source: Straits Times Singapore
blue print designed to ensure that 27 March 2007
Singapore would be a player in
ASIA for the use of alternative
energy sources. This initiative acts
as a follow up from an initiative
signed between ASEAN and six
other nations that acknowledges the
need to strengthen renewable
energy development.

PM Lee also said during that

declaration that Singapore
recognizes the potential for Source: Business Times Singapore
alternative and renewable energy, 16 January 2007
and believes the region has great
potential for the development of
biofuel and other types of renewable
energies.

NLB
As such, Singapore embarked
Source: MTI NATIONAL ENERGY
herself into this journey with the POLICY REPORT
recently published National Energy
Policy Framework, which focuses
on the need to maintain a balance
between the policy objectives of
economic competitiveness, energy
security and environmental
sustainability.

SINERGY a state of the art

research facility and Gardens by the
Source:
Bay’s solar modules and wind www.gardensbythebay.org.sg
turbines setup are some of the R&D
Source: E2PO
initiatives focused in the policy. The
Energy Efficiency Programme Office
policy also includes projects such as
the E2PO program.

You can gather some of the other

initiatives by the Singapore
Government in table1
NLB

Source:
The National Environmental Agency http://www.nccc.gov.sg/renewables/
(NEA) also compiled an updated list renewables.shtm
of the renewable energies
installations in Singapore.

Singapore’s unique strategic

approach till date brought together a
start to attracting many commercial
investors to follow suit. With bank
interests and the rising oil prices to
Source: Business Times Singapore
the new alternative energy index, 7 September 2007
banks such as Qatar’s-Doha bank,
to Citigroup and Pictet Asset
Source: Business Times Singapore
Management are now banking on 6 April 2007 and 28 November
green investments. 2007 respectively

AES AgriVerde (a US based utilities
Source: Business Times Singapore

giant), plans to invest US$100million
in South East Asia targeted at 24 September 2007
projects that are based on
alternative energy.

NLB
Closer to home, more diesel cars

Source: Business Times Singapore
may hit the road, a joint
collaboration between Germany’s 29 September 2007
VW and MTI-Singapore.

Most recently, Finnish company
Source: weekend TODAY

Neste Oil Corporation is investing
Singapore
approximately ($1.17billion) to build
a plant here to produce 800,000 01 December 2007
tonnes of renewable diesel a year.

Quoting from Singapore Business

Times – 9 May 2007, PM Lee-
Source: Business Times Singapore
Singapore is keen to move into the
fast-growing alternative energy 9 May 2007
business, he said.’ I want to see
how they saw it from the industry
and from the point of view of
venture funds, taking a very close
interest in the green technology that
has suddenly expanded over the
past couple of years, and (see) how
we can fit into this, whether we can
persuade some of them to come to NLB
Singapore.’
The government efforts in response
to rising oil prices and its search for
energy security must also be
complimented by efforts from the
general public. Understanding the GOVERNMENT WEBSITES
topic of Alternative energy should
hence be a good start for you to help
in contributing to Alternative energy 1. www.nea.gov.sg
usages in Singapore. 2. www.mti.gov.sg
3. www.bca.gov.sg

REFERENCES
4. www.nccc.gov.sg
5. www.edb.gov.sg

DATABASES AVAILABLE IN NLB

Scott Victor Valentine (2007) National
University of Singapore: Reframing Global
Warming: Toward a Strategic National
Planning Framework. 1. Factiva
2. EBSCO host
Paula Berinstein (2001): Alternative Energy 3. ProQuest Science journals
Facts, Statistics, and Issues. Oryx Press
(Call no. Rq333.794BER).
http://nrl.nlb.gov.sg/rp/databases.html
News release – Agency for Science,
Technology and Research, Singapore 30
Mar 2007, Inaugural energy workshop (2
Apr 07) attracts international experts to
speak on Smart Energy Distribution and to
access local R&D potential. NLB
CAPTURING HEADLINES STRAITS & BUSINESS TIMES

S$1.2b investment for biodiesel – weekend TODAY

01-12-07.

Crude oil at a defining moment in history – Business Times Singapore

29-11-07.

Goggle unveils its green dreams – Today Singapore

29-11-07.

R&D centre for clean energy launched – Business Times Singapore

27-11-07.

ASEAN to promote nuclear energy, solar power – MSN news – Agence France-Presse
13-11-07.

Singapore sets aside S$170million for clean energy research – Channel News Asia
06-11-2007.

New body to coordinate efforts to improve energy efficiency – Straits Times Singapore
31-10-2007.

NLB
Recommended Books
1) Global Warming
A) Chang, C.C., Mendelsohn, R. and
Shaw, D. (2003). Global warming &
the Asian Pacific.
Cheltenham, UK: Northampton, MA:
Edward Elgar.
Call Number: R 363.73874095 GLO
B) Hillman, M. (2007). The suicidal
planet: how to prevent global
planet catastrophe.
New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press.
Call Number: R363.73874 HIL
C) Brown, P. (2006). Global warming:
the last chance for change.
London: A &C Black Guardian Books.
Call Number: R 363.73874 BRO
2) Alternative Energy
A) Berinstein, P. (2001). Alternative
energy: facts, statistics, and
issues
Westport, CT: Oryx Press.
Call Number: R q333.794 BER
B) Lee, S. (2007). Handbook of
alternative fuel technologies
Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis.
Call Number: R 662.6LEE
C) Walisiewicz, M. (2002). Alternative
energy
London: Dorling Kindersley, 2002.
Call Number: R 333.794 WAL
NLB
References

http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/cp/ene_cou_702.pdf

http://alt-e.blogspot.com/2004/09/asia-alternative-energy-singapore-
not.html

http://www.ema.gov.sg/