DOCSLIB.ORG

Energy Transition in Singapore: a System Dynamics Analysis on Policy Choices for a Sustainable Future

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Energy Transition in Singapore: a System Dynamics Analysis on Policy Choices for a Sustainable Future Energy Transition in Singapore: A System Dynamics Analysis on Policy Choices for a Sustainable Future by Zhiyu Chen B.Sc. Biochemistry (First Class Honours) McGill University (Montréal, Québec) 2013 SUBMITTED TO THE SYSTEM DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 2020 © 2020 Zhiyu Chen. All rights reserved. The author hereby grants to MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in whole or in part in any medium now known or hereafter created. Signature of Author: a Zhiyu Chen System Design and Management Program December 11, 2019 Certified By: | Michael W. Golay, Ph.D. Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Thesis Supervisor Certified By: a John M. Reilly, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change Thesis Reader Accepted By: a Joan S. Rubin Executive Director, System Design and Management 1 [This page is intentionally left blank.] 2 Energy Transition in Singapore: A System Dynamics Analysis on Policy Choices for a Sustainable Future by Zhiyu Chen Submitted to the System Design and Management Program on December 11, 2019 In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering and Management Abstract 95% of Singapore’s electricity is generated from imported natural gas, which poses fundamental economic and security risks. Solar power is the only local renewable energy resource available but it is insufficient to meet all electricity demand. There is value to consider what Singapore can do to maintain competitive advantage as a country while diversifying its electricity generation landscape and lowering its greenhouse gas emissions. A system dynamics model was built and different key policy scenarios were simulated to observe potential outcomes of Singapore’s electricity landscape by 2100. Model findings suggest that the current Business-As-Usual (BAU) path of focusing on energy efficiency initiatives, maximizing local solar resources, and continual usage of natural gas fired plants is a good short-term to mid-term strategy but a poor long-term strategy. The recommended strategy of adding nuclear into the energy mix through offshore floating nuclear plants has the lowest long-run socioeconomic costs. Adding both nuclear and importing renewable based electricity as part of the ASEAN Power Grid as a strategy requires the highest total infrastructure investments. Both alternatives provide reliable outcomes in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and have the potential to promote greater multilateral relationships and economic co-development between Singapore and its neighbors. Thesis Supervisor: Michael W. Golay, Ph.D. Title: Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Thesis Reader: John M. Reilly, Ph.D. Title: Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change 3 [This page is intentionally left blank.] 4 Acknowledgements The last 16 months as an MIT student has been an incredibly enriching experience for me in the academic and personal level. The journey through MIT while being a first-time father was a difficult one and I am thankful that everything has turned out much better than expected. Having the flexibility to do part of the degree back in Singapore so that I could spend time with my wife and watch my daughter grow up in her initial year was something that I would be eternally grateful for. I would like to first thank the Singapore’s Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces for sponsoring my postgraduate studies in MIT. I would also like to thank all my work mentors who gave their best effort in guiding and supporting me over the years. Next, I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Professor Michael W. Golay, for his time and guidance over the year. His insights on the ASEAN geopolitical development, energy landscape, and long-term policy considerations for Singapore have been helpful and thought provoking. I would also like to thank Dr. John M. Reilly for his incredible inputs, especially on the economic modelling of electricity markets, and for reviewing this thesis. I would also wish to thank all MIT instructors whom have taught me as it was their teaching that provided the inspiration and foundations for this thesis. I would like to express my appreciation to the System Design and Management staff for their assistance throughout the program, and my fellow classmates for their friendship and wisdom that made the long hours seemed short. The incredible experiences would not have possible without all of you. I am ultimately grateful to my wife, Seok Han, for being my greatest pillar of support and for taking care of Adora when I am so far away from home. Finally, I am thankful to my family and friends for their encouragement. Zhiyu Chen (Jude) [email protected] December 2019 5 [This page is intentionally left blank.] 6 Table of Contents ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................... 9 LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................... 10 LIST OF ACRONYMS .............................................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 1 | INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 13 1.1 | GENERAL INFORMATION ......................................................................................................... 13 1.2 | MOTIVATION AND THESIS QUESTION ........................................................................................ 15 CHAPTER 2 | LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 17 2.1 | SINGAPORE’S GEOGRAPHICAL CIRCUMSTANCES ........................................................................... 17 2.2 | ECONOMIC REVIEW................................................................................................................ 17 2.3 | CURRENT PLAN FOR MEETING ELECTRICITY DEMANDS AND EMISSION TARGETS................................. 19 2.4 | ASEAN’S GROWING ENERGY NEEDS ......................................................................................... 20 2.5 | NUCLEAR POWER FOR SINGAPORE ............................................................................................ 22 2.6 | ENERGY TRANSITION REPRESENTATION...................................................................................... 24 2.7 | SYSTEM DYNAMICS ................................................................................................................ 25 CHAPTER 3 | SINGAPORE’S ELECTRICITY LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMATION MODEL .............................. 27 3.1 | BASIC MODEL AND BROAD NARRATIVE ..................................................................................... 27 3.2 | DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SUB-CATEGORIES IN THE STOCK-AND-FLOW MODEL ................................ 30 3.2.1: Electricity Demand and Supply ........................................................................................... 31 3.2.2: Pricing ................................................................................................................................ 35 3.2.3: Infrastructure Investment .................................................................................................. 40 3.2.4: Local and Overseas Capacity .............................................................................................. 44 3.2.5: Electricity Generation ......................................................................................................... 48 3.2.6: Emissions Level ................................................................................................................... 49 3.2.7: Energy Related Jobs ........................................................................................................... 51 3.2.8: Energy Security ................................................................................................................... 53 3.2.9: Social Needs ....................................................................................................................... 54 3.2.10: Policy ................................................................................................................................ 55 3.2.11: Model Dashboard ............................................................................................................. 58 CHAPTER 4 | SCENARIOS AND MODEL RESULTS ................................................................................... 60 4.1 | SCENARIO SETUP ................................................................................................................... 60 4.2 |RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 61 4.2.1. Capacities ..........................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Roadmap for Singapore (A Summary)
    Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Roadmap for Singapore (A Summary) Prepared for Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Energy Market Authority (EMA) by Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) Authors: Prof. Joachim LUTHER, Lead Author Dr. Thomas REINDL Project Manager: Dr. Darryl Kee Soon WANG Research Team: Prof. Joachim LUTHER Dr. Thomas REINDL Prof. Armin ABERLE Dr. Darryl Kee Soon WANG Dr. Wilfred WALSH Mr. André NOBRE Ms. Grace Guoxiu YAO The information given in this roadmap are mainly based on data available in June 2013. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 8 2. TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF TODAY’S AND FUTURE PV AND RELATED TECHNOLOGIES ............................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 TECHNOLOGIES FOR PV ELECTRICITY GENERATION ...............................................................13 2.1.1 Basics of the PV energy conversion process ...........................................................................13 2.1.2 Technology, efficiencies and prices of market-leading PV technologies ...............................14 2.1.3 Efficiency and technology roadmaps of market-leading PV technologies .............................17 2.1.3.1 Short term goals (2015)
    [Show full text]
  • THE ASIA-PACIFIC 02 | Renewable Energy in the Asia-Pacific CONTENTS
    Edition 4 | 2017 DLA Piper RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC 02 | Renewable energy in the Asia-Pacific CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................04 Australia ..........................................................................................08 People’s Republic of China ..........................................................17 Hong Kong SAR ............................................................................25 India ..................................................................................................31 Indonesia .........................................................................................39 Japan .................................................................................................47 Malaysia ...........................................................................................53 The Maldives ..................................................................................59 Mongolia ..........................................................................................65 Myanmar .........................................................................................72 New Zealand..................................................................................77 Pakistan ...........................................................................................84 Papua New Guinea .......................................................................90 The Philippines ...............................................................................96
    [Show full text]
  • Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy in Singapore
    Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy in Singapore Sebastian King Per Wettergren Bachelor of Science Thesis KTH School of Industrial Engineering and Management Energy Technology EGI-2011-043BSC SE-100 44 STOCKHOLM Bachelor of Science Thesis EGI-2011-043BSC Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy in Singapore Sebastian King Per Wettergren Approved Examiner Supervisor Date Name Name Commissioner Contact person Abstract Singapore is a country that is currently highly dependent on import of oil and gas. In order to be able to shift into a more sustainable energy system, Singapore is investing in research regarding different technologies and systems so as to establish more sustainable energy solutions. Seeing how air-conditioning accounts for approximately 30 % of Singapore‟s total energy consumption, a feasibility study is being conducted on whether an integrated system using a thermally active building system (TABS) and desiccant evaporative cooling system (DECS) can replace the air-conditioning system. The question which is to be discussed in this thesis is whether solar and wind power can be financially feasible in Singapore and if they can be utilized in order to power the integrated system. The approaching model consists of a financial feasibility study of the different technologies and a theoretical test-bedding, where the suitability of the technologies to power the TABS and DECS is tested. The financial feasibility is estimated by calculating the payback period and using the net present value method. A model designed in a digital modeling software is used for the test-bedding. Measurements from a local weather station are used for estimating the solar radiance and wind speeds in Singapore.
    [Show full text]
  • SINGAPORE an EXCERPT from the 2015 Global Climate Legislation Study a Review of Climate Change Legislation in 99 Countries
    CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION IN SINGAPORE AN EXCERPT FROM The 2015 Global Climate Legislation Study A Review of Climate Change Legislation in 99 Countries Michal Nachmany, Sam Fankhauser, Jana Davidová, Nick Kingsmill, Tucker Landesman, Hitomi Roppongi, Philip Schleifer, Joana Setzer, Amelia Sharman, C. Stolle Singleton, Jayaraj Sundaresan and Terry Townshend www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/legislation/ Climate Change Legislation – Singapore Singapore Legislative Process Singapore’s constitution took effect in August 1965 and is the supreme law. The country is a unitary multiparty parliamentary republic, with a Westminster system of unicameral parliamentary government representing constituencies. General elections must be conducted within five years of the first sitting of parliament; however, since the legislative assembly election in 1959 the government has always been formed by the People’s Action Party, either outright, or with an overwhelming majority. A President is elected by popular vote every six years and is largely ceremonial (although has veto powers over certain executive decisions). Together with the President, a Prime Minister-led cabinet forms the executive branch of the government. The parliament is made up of elected MPs, non-constituency MPs (the best performing losers of the general election), and nominated MPs (appointed by the President). As a result of the 2011 general election, there are presently 87 elected MPs, three non-constituency MPs and nine nominated MPs. The next general election must be held by 8 January 2017. The parliament, together with the President, constitutes the legislative branch of government. Bills are usually introduced by a minister on behalf of the government, but any MP may introduce a bill (known as a Private Member’s Bill).
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Business in Singapore
    GLOBAL VISION BACKED BY LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Doing Business in Singapore Business Advisors to Growing Businesses CONTEnts FOREWORD 4 OVERVIEW OF SINGAPORE 5 • Singapore as an Economic Hub and International Financial Centre • Singapore’s Attractiveness as an Investment Destination COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT 9 • Singapore’s Economy • Industries in Singapore • Emerging Businesses • Singapore and Trade • Investment Activities • Government Pro-business Schemes HOUSING, TRANSPORT & EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE 18 • Singapore: A Globalised City State • Housing in Singapore • Commuting in Singapore • Studying in Singapore TYPES OF BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS 27 • Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships • Limited Liability Partnerships • Limited Partnerships • Companies • Joint Ventures • Foreign Companies • Representative Offices • Incorporating a Company • Annual Requirements for Companies • Registration of a Foreign Company • Registration of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) • Comparison of Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships, LLPs and Companies BUSINESS & RESIDENTIAL PREMISES 34 • Office Space • Typical Office Lease Terms • Industrial Space • Typical Industrial Lease Terms • Residential Accommodation • Foreigners Renting a Home in Singapore • Foreigners Purchasing Private Property in Singapore © Copyright 2018 RSM 1 CONTEnts TAXATION IN SINGAPORE 48 • Introduction • Income Tax • Individual Tax and Corporate Tax • Dividend Payment • Withholding Tax • Transfer Pricing • Goods and Services Tax • Stamp Duty • Property Tax • Customs and Excise Duties
    [Show full text]
  • Green Finance in Singapore: Barriers and Solutions
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Youngho, Chang Working Paper Green finance in Singapore: Barriers and solutions ADBI Working Paper Series, No. 915 Provided in Cooperation with: Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo Suggested Citation: Youngho, Chang (2019) : Green finance in Singapore: Barriers and solutions, ADBI Working Paper Series, No. 915, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/222682 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo/ www.econstor.eu ADBI Working Paper Series GREEN FINANCE IN SINGAPORE: BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS Youngho Chang No. 915 January 2019 Asian Development Bank Institute Youngho Chang is Head, Business and Management Minors, School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore.
    [Show full text]
  • Singapore's Fourth National Communication and Third Biennial Update
    Singapore’s Fourth National Communication And Third Biennial Update Report Under The United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change Fourth National Communication And Third Singapore’s Images in this publication contributed by: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore Building and Construction Authority City Developments Limited Housing & Development Board M+S Pte Ltd SINGAPORE’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Health Fourth National Communication DECEMBER 2018 Ministry of National Development and Third Biennial Update Report National Climate Change Secretariat National Environment Agency Under The United Nations National Parks Board Ngee Ann Property Management Pte Ltd Framework Convention On Climate Change PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency December 2018 Published By National Environment Agency Environment Building 40 Scotts Road Singapore 228231 In Collaboration With Ministry of The Environment And Water Resources Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of National Development Ministry of Transport Ministry of Trade and Industry National Climate Change Secretariat © Copyright Reserved 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior permission of National Environment Agency. CONTENTS FOREWORD 6 NOTES ON USING THIS DOCUMENT 7 FOURTH NATIONAL COMMUNICATION (NC) 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11 Chapter 1 – National Circumstances (Summary) 14 Chapter 2 – National Greenhouse Gas Inventory
    [Show full text]
  • Singapore's Third National Communication and First Biennial
    SINGAPORE’S THIRD NATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND FIRST BIENNIAL UPDATE REPORT Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change December 2014 c1 c2 PUBLISHED BY National Environment Agency Environment Building 40 Scotts Road Singapore 228231 IN COLLABORATION WITH Ministry of The Environment And Water Resources Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of National Development Ministry of Transport Ministry of Trade And Industry National Climate Change Secretariat © COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior permis- sion of National Environment Agency. ISBN: 9971-88-779-7 i ii CONTENTS FOREWORD 2 NOTES ON USING THIS DOCUMENT 5 THIRD NATIONAL COMMUNICATION (NC) Executive Summary 8 Chapter 1 – National Circumstances (Summary) 11 Chapter 2 – National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Summary) 17 Chapter 3 – Mitigation Measures (Summary) 21 Chapter 4 – Vulnerability and Adaptation Measures 25 Chapter 5 – International Cooperation 37 FIRST BIENNIAL UPDATE REPORT (BUR) Chapter 1 – National Circumstances 49 Chapter 2 – National Greenhouse Gas Inventory 61 Chapter 3 – Mitigation Measures 87 Annex 2010 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Worksheets 108 Greenhouse Gas Summary Tables for 2000 and 1994 128 Glossary 130 1 FOREWORD Keeping Singapore Clean and Green Singapore has placed high priority on maintaining a clean and green living environment since our independence in 1965. This brings health and quality of life benefits, and enhances Singapore’s attractiveness to investments that grow our economy and provide good jobs. Our small size (716km2) and high population density (7,540 people per km2) limit our ability to draw on alternative energy sources such as solar, wind or nuclear.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy Efficiency (EE) and Prioritising Energy Reduction Will Give Companies a 2
    Responses to Feedback and Suggestions on Singapore’s Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy This Annex was prepared by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) together with the following agencies: the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Energy Market Authority (EMA), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), the National Environment Agency (NEA), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency (PUB), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Ministry of National Development (MND), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the National Parks Board (NParks), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD), the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). This document will be updated regularly as the Government continues to study the suggestions further and work with all stakeholders in developing implementation plans to realise Singapore’s LEDS. Contents A: Energy Use Reduction and Efficiency Improvements ....................................................................... 2 B: Decarbonising the Transport Sector ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 15. Singapore Country Report
    Chapter 15 Singapore Country Report Loi Tian Sheng Allan Energy Studies Institute (ESI), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Jaqueline Tao Yujia Energy Studies Institute (ESI), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Yuen Kah Hung National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore September 2015 This chapter should be cited as Loi Tian Sheng Allan, Jaqueline Tao Yujia and Yuen Kah Hung (2015), ‘Singapore Country Report’, in Kimura, S. and H. Phoumin (eds.), Energy Outlook and Energy Saving Potential in East Asia. ERIA Research Project Report 2014-33, Jakarta: ERIA, pp.223-237. CHAPTER 15 Singapore Country Report* LOI TIAN SHENG ALLAN, JACQUELINE TAO YUJIA, AND YUEN KAH HUNG Energy Studies Institute (ESI), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 1. Background Singapore is a small island-state in Southeast Asia, located along the Straits of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia. It is the most urbanised and industrialised country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with an annual gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of S$ 71,318 in 20141 and is fully electrified. It has a national policy framework to maintain a balance amongst the policy objectives of economic competitiveness, energy security, and environmental sustainability.2 Singapore has a national target of reducing energy intensity by 20 percent by 2020 and 35 percent by 2030 compared with 20053. It also has a voluntary target of reducing carbon dioxide 4 (CO2) emissions by 7–11 percent below business-as-usual levels in 2020, which will be increased to 16 percent if there is a global agreement on climate change. 1.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Introductory Document Dated 31 May 2010
    FOR INFORMATION ONLY This document is important. If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, you should consult your (a business trust constituted on 23 July 2009 under the laws legal, financial, tax or other professional adviser. of Singapore and managed by Keppel Infrastructure Fund Management Pte. Ltd. as trustee-manager of K-Green Trust (“Trustee-Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Integrated Engineering Limited (“Sponsor” or “KIE”) K-Green Trust (“KGT”) is a business trust registered (with registration number 2010002) on 27 May 2010 under the Business Trusts Act (Chapter 31A) (“BTA”) Introductory Document Dated 31 May 2010 INTRODUCTION OF K-GREEN TRUST TO THE MAIN BOARD OF SINGAPORE EXCHANGE SECURITIES TRADING LIMITED This Document is issued by the Trustee-Manager in connection with the listing of units representing undivided interests in KGT (“Units”) on Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) by way of an introduction (“Introduction”). This Document provides information on KGT and the Units in compliance with the listing requirements of the SGX-ST. An application has been made to the SGX-ST for permission to list on the Main Board of the SGX-ST all the Units in issue immediately prior to the date of the commencement of dealing in the Units on the SGX-ST (“Listing Date”) and all the Units which may be issued to the Trustee- Manager from time to time in full or part payment of the fees payable to the Trustee-Manager. Such permission will be granted when KGT has been admitted to the Official List of the SGX-ST.
    [Show full text]
  • Sembcorp and Singapore Polytechnic to Collaborate in R&D and Training
    PRESS RELEASE SEMBCORP AND SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC TO COLLABORATE IN R&D AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF SOLAR ENERGY IN SINGAPORE - Working together to address the global challenge of photovoltaic waste and commercialise Singapore’s first-ever technology for recycling of used solar panels - Developing training and continuing education to strengthen the solar energy talent pool here Singapore, January 23, 2019 – Around the world, solar energy is growing as a source of clean, renewable energy. However, this presents a pressing challenge to the industry: What will become of used solar panels at the end of their lifespan? By 2050, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the world will have 60 million tonnes of cumulative photovoltaic panel waste. How can this be dealt with responsibly and in the best way possible, so that resources are recovered, waste is minimised, and photovoltaic resources remain environmentally friendly from cradle to grave? Trusted integrated energy company and leading solar power player, Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), is partnering with Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to help address this critical issue. The parties will collaborate on commercialising the first-ever technology in Singapore for photovoltaic recycling. This innovative process, developed locally by SP researchers, recovers resources from used solar panels, such as glass, silicon, and metals including silver and aluminium. The partners will work together to translate these solutions from laboratory to market, and accelerate plans to develop a pilot recycling plant for solar panels. Once the technology proves commercially viable, the pilot plant can then serve as a potential prototype for larger-scale recycling of used solar panels in Singapore, and beyond.
    [Show full text]