​SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE AND SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE PULAU UBIN MICRO-GRID TEST-BED INAUGURATION CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2013

Dr Maliki Osman,

Residents of Pulau Ubin,

Friends and colleagues from EMA and the other government agencies

Grassroots leaders of Siglap

Ladies and gentlemen

A very good morning to all of you.

1.            First let me say I’m very happy to join all of you at this inauguration ceremony for the Pulau Ubin micro-grid test-bed. Today, we mark the official commencement of electricity supply from the micro-grid to residents and businesses around the jetty area of the island. 

2.            Singapore has undertaken continual and a diverse range of efforts to explore all energy options and to enhance our energy security. As part of that effort, this micro-grid test-bed will help us assess the reliability of renewable energy sources. I think it is quite fitting that we are doing this in Pulau Ubin. The residents and businesses in Pulau Ubin will also have access to a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable source of electricity, compared to the diesel generators that they have been using.

Background

3.            This project marks the culmination of two years of hard work by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and its appointed consortium, comprising Daily Life Renewable Energy Pte Ltd (DLRE) and OKH Holdings Pte Ltd[1].  They have worked closely with government agencies, residents and businesses on Pulau Ubin to construct the micro-grid infrastructure, whil preserving the rustic ambience of the island[2]. 

Objective and Benefits of the Micro-Grid Test-Bed

4.            We have embarked on this test-bed to assess the reliability of electricity supply from a grid that includes intermittent renewable energy resources.  Renewable energy sources such as solar are not continuously available and its electricity output may fluctuate. To ensure a stable electricity supply, adequate reserves from conventional power stations must be kept on standby. The knowledge gained from this test-bed will help us build capabilities to better manage the impact of intermittency on our national electricity grid. This will enable Singapore to adopt new and renewable energy technologies as and when they become commercially viable.

5.            The immediate benefit of this micro-grid test-bed is quite apparent to all of us.  It provides a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable source of electricity for residents and businesses around the jetty area in Pulau Ubin, compared to their existing diesel generators. With the test-bed, participating residents and businesses are now supplied with electricity from the micro-grid, which is generated from biodiesel[3] and solar photovoltaics (PV).  As the generation capacity of the micro-grid infrastructure can also be scaled up quite easily, what this means is that consumers can also draw more electricity from the micro-grid to meet their demands as it evolves. For example, the businesses here can now operate equipment and amenities, such as chillers and air-conditioners, which require a higher electricity load. This means that they can serve their customers better and expand their operations.

Facilitating Clean and Alternative Energy Options in Singapore

6.            At the national level, we are well aware that we rely on imported natural gas for most of our energy requirements today. With our Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal commencing commercial operations in May this year, we are now able to procure natural gas from regions beyond our immediate neighbourhood. That is an important source of diversification for us. Meanwhile, it is important that we continue to evaluate other energy options for greater diversification and to enhance our energy security.

7.            Solar energy is one of the more promising renewable energy sources for Singapore with the potential to supplement our future energy mix. The cost of solar technology has come down significantly in recent years and may soon reach a level where consumers find it commercially viable to install solar PV panels on a larger scale. However, solar power generation still poses some challenges, especially in our context, given our limited land area for solar farms; and also the cloud cover and changes in weather conditions that can cause intermittency.  

8.            We are addressing these challenges through a range of research and development (R&D) initiatives and test-beds. Apart from this Pulau Ubin micro-grid test-bed, EMA is collaborating with various parties, such as A*STAR’s Experimental Power Grid Centre, to better understand how intermittent energy sources can be integrated into our energy system and electricity market without compromising overall grid stability. 

9.            HDB is also test-bedding solar PV in the housing estates. HDB recently launched its largest solar-leasing tender to date for a company to own and operate solar panels on some 125 blocks in Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang, Serangoon North and Buangkok. The project can produce up to 5 megawatts-peak (MWp) of electricity to power lights in corridors and common areas, as well as lifts and water pumps, among other things.

10.         The Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO)[4] also funds several initiatives. One example is the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), which continues to perform cutting edge R&D, especially in applications for Singapore and the tropics. The Programme Office also administers the $140 million Energy Innovation Research Programme (EIRP) that supports industry-relevant innovation in the energy sector. Two grant calls were launched last year, one for solar PV and another for smart grids, and a total sum of $22 million has since been awarded to 11 proposals.

11.         Five of these proposals are focused on innovations in crystalline silicon PV solar technologies. They aim to lower costs and recycle used PV modules. For smart grids, one of the winning proposals was submitted by Associate Professor Dipti Srinivasan from the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with SP Power Grid. Among other things, this project aims to develop new solutions in grid management, control and monitoring that will enable SP Power Grid to diagnose and respond to incidents in a timely manner.

12.         Looking ahead, we will continue to build capabilities in areas such as smart grid design, system integration and in the management of intermittent renewable energy resources. We will also seek system-level solutions that enhance the overall efficiency and resilience of our power grid. These efforts will create new opportunities in the power generation and clean energy industry.

Conclusion

13.         Today’s effort marks an important step in the direction of building an overall, robust, versatile and diversified energy system in Singapore. I want to thank the residents, businesses, grassroots leaders and all who have been involved for working with us and the Consortium to bring this about. We look forward to more of such initiatives to ensure that Singapore has a strong and stable environment for energy in the future. Thank you very much.