Topic: Energy savings Entrepreneurship in Singapore The energy savings companies (ESCO) represent a new business model. They are providing services in diverse industry sectors in Singapore. ESCO is a services sector business targeted to the availability of energy efficient technology and services including energy appraisals, financing, design, implementation and management of energy saving projects. Worldwide, ESCOs are expanding business in the wake of increasing level of CO2 emissions. Through energy efficient projects, this limited resource can be saved for future generations. Singapore’s energy saving companies’ horizon has grown vast with the realization that investment made on the energy saving technologies would be a profitable deal in the long run. ESCOs provide a complete package of services starting from the appraisal to the project financing, guaranteeing the success of the project besides providing equipment maintenance and servicing. Only accredited ESCOs can provide energy saving technology services; Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU), a division of the School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, runs an accreditation programme to introduce quality and standard in the services of energy saving companies http://www.e2singapore.gov.sg/buildings/energy-services-providers.html

Overview of the Energy Sector in Singapore

Energy sector in Singapore involves electricity consumption, energy consumption, energy intensity, energy statistics, and energy efficiency policies. Electricity consumption as per 2005 stats given in the National Energy Policy Report includes power generation sector consuming 51% fuel to generate electricity for different sectors namely industry, transport, buildings, household and others, as shown in the chart below.

The Energy Market Authority governs the business of awarding licenses to private companies to generate electricity. The graph below depicts the electricity consumption and electricity consumption per capita from 1990 to 2007, as given by the Energy Market Authority and the Singapore Department of Statistics.

The graph shows ever-increasing level of consumption, culminating to 2.6 times from 1990 to 2007 but consumption per capita went up at a slower pace of 1.8 times, showing no movement between 2005 to 2007.

In the matter of energy consumption and energy intensity, stats of the two organizations -- the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are different while comparing Singapore’s energy intensity with America and Finland among other developed countries. Incidentally, energy intensity here means the level of energy ratio to be verified by the energy consumed per dollar of gross domestic product. The reason for difference in the stats of EIA -- 53.98 Mtoe and IEA – lower at 30.67 Mtoe, as per 2008 major world Energy Statistics, is the difference of measuring the energy consumption. EIA measures marine bunkers in the estimation; it is supply of oil to international voyages while passing. Singapore being the biggest marine bunkering centre in the world, energy consumption gets overly measured. IEA on the contrary doesn’t take into consideration supply of oil to passing ships while estimating energy consumption and energy intensity. IEA stats are actual representation of Singapore energy consumption.

Singapore’s energy intensity actually decreased by 15% between 1990 and 2005 reason being optimum and efficient use of technology in electricity generation and other sectors.

.In future, Singapore has set a target of minimizing energy efficiency by 20% from the year 2005 till 2020 and by 35% from 2005 levels by the year 2030. For this purpose, the Energy Efficiency Programme Office (E2PO) is encouraging energy efficiency in different industries via the Energy Efficient Singapore (E2 Singapore) policies and steps (Eugene, May 14, 2009).

Analysis – industry & PESTAL

Singapore is a model city for sustainable growth and clean and healthy environment. Electricity market is highly competitive in Singapore because of the government’s liberal policies. Energy has been an important resource. Its security has emerged a big challenge. Undisrupted supply of oil and gas are conditions, as security of these resources being vulnerable is a big issue. Diversification of energy resources can be a way out, which requires developed markets, developed infrastructure and global assistance. New energy technologies are also being used in a big way to save energy. Another major challenge is the environment affects of energy use. Although it is a global issue that demands our attention so that CO2 emissions are below the limit. The ideal strategy is holistic energy policy and strong economy to fight high energy prices and environment issues. There exist many global opportunities in clean energy like solar power, fuel cells, bio-fuels, and in energy efficiency (Kiang, 2007).

SWOT Analysis of Energy

Strengths

Competitive energy market for sustainable growth -- Electricity market is highly

competitive in Singapore.

Liberal energy policy – A holistic energy policy helps in fighting high energy

prices and environment issues

Fully developed retail electricity market

Weaknesses

Total dependence on import of energy resources – Singapore has not a

single drop of oil of its own

Supply disruption

Price increase

Commercial risks in diversification of energy

Limited energy options -- Hydro, geothermal and wind power are not

available in Singapore, while nuclear energy is not feasible due to our

small size.

Opportunities

Potential in solar power, coal power, fuel cells, bio-fuels and

energy efficiency Solutions

Strong research and development (R&D) capabilities – by investing in energy

Research and development

Energy saving companies potential role in reduced energy consumption and cost

Threats

technological barriers

the reliability of supply (MTI, 2007).

Electricity market – Marketplace Analysis

If we analyse Singapore’s national electricity market for 2008, demand for electricity was full of

important ups and downs while supply saw the implanting of new embedded generators in the

Singapore’s national electricity market. Offer price for energy also saw volatility due to fuel oil

price. The Uniform Singapore Energy Price (USEP) broke records of all previous years, touching

a new highest annual level with the beginning of electricity market. The bounce was a little over

30 % in comparison to the USEP in 2007, the previous year. The ancillary prices remained

friendly throughout the year 2008, as main reserves and control prices were at their lowest with

the beginning of the market.

If we see the monthly average system demand of electricity for the year 2008, peak months were

April and May, otherwise throughout the year especially in the last quarter of the year, and in the

months of March and August the monthly average demand was negative year on year (YOY) in

the year 2008. A comparison with the last five years in the rate of demand growth for the year

2008 was 1% to previous 3% yearly growth rate. Interesting thing about the top ten daily average

system demands for 2008 was its intensity in the months of April and May, which was way

beyond the highest levels in 2007.

Market performance – demand & supply of electricity

Due to decreasing demand of electricity in the year 2008, its duration curve is very near to the

duration curve of 2007. After touching 87.7% sign, it underwent the duration curve of 2007

reason being the negative YOY demand’s rate of growth in the five business months of 2008.

Demand for electricity was 38.9 terawatt hours, which was 1.5% higher than it was in the year

2007.

Supply side registered small changes in 2008 rescheduling capacity in existing plants besides

inauguration of 17 megawatts (MW) generation capacities. Supply of combined-cycle gas

turbine (CCGT) was in the range of 4,500 MW to 5,000 MW monthly averages. Steam turbine

and gas turbine supplies remained confident enough to work as buffer for the whole of energy

supply. Supply reacted contraction as per the decrease in demand showing negative YOY

changes from August to December in 2008. In the perspective of reducing demand on the whole,

supply got more strength improving by 2.7% in comparison to 2007 besides a 6.6% increase in

CCGT although supply of steam turbine shrank by 14.2% in 2008.

Energy offer price and fuel oil price during the year 2008 registered changes in operational costs. Starting with 61% in January (the % of energy offer price band down $80 megawatt per hour (MWh) came down to 55.3% in July and went up to 79.8% in December. This up and down in the price of energy happened due to affects of fuel price, which went unexpectedly high to US$113 per barrel (bbl) in July before falling down a record three year low of US$35/bbl in December.

Market share of different companies by generator, MSSL, and retail market from 2003 to 2008 observed moderate changes with the Keppel Merlimau increasing its share of the market, which shrank the share of leading generation companies although Senoko Power remained on the top as always since 2003. Tuas Power remained on its position maintained in 2007.

Retail market saw nominal changes with Seraya Energy on the top for the second year in-a-line with 18%of the market share besides SP Services. Keppel Electric advanced nearer to 10% mark in the year 2008.

Industry Analysis

Singapore’s industry analysis by sectors from 2008 onwards is based on world energy demand and economic outlook, as estimated by International Energy Outlook for the different blocks. Singapore comes in the non-OECD economies of the world, led by China and India. As per the IEO projections, the demand for marketed energy is estimated to cross-over by 44% from 2006 t0 2030. Again, non-OECD economies would be the leading consumers of energy. As of now due to economic recession worldwide, the demand for energy for 2009 is sluggish due to its negative impact on consumer and manufacturing good and services (International Energy Outlook 2009).

On an average, economic growth in non-OECD countries is estimated overall by 3.6% a year. Domestic demand of these countries including Singapore has been robust because of strong economic growth. Scope of sustaining the economic growth is less in the wake of volatile energy prices until diversification is attained in energy production and export (International Energy Outlook 2009).

The above figure indicates projections in world liquids consumption in three price case – reference price, high price and low price in all sectors worldwide. Singapore would also be following the same pattern in energy consumption. The impact of worldwide recession will be acutely felt in Singapore being an export dependent country like Hong Kong and Taiwan, as demand of its products in the United States, Europe, and Asia also gets affected. Thus, non-OECD counties including Singapore are going to perform well in the long run, strengthening its growth rates, as its labour force growth rates go down with the economic growth (International Energy Outlook 2009).

The doubtful IEO 2009 projections for future rates of economic growth can be described with a high economic growth case and low economic growth case besides the reference case, as shown in the figure 24. Both the cases have different assumptions of future economic growth paths although the relationships between changes in GDP and changes

in energy consumption remain the same, as used in the reference case. In the case of high economic growth rate, 0.5% point has been added to the assumed growth rate and vice versa for the low growth rate. Energy consumption is going to reach 400 quadrillion Btu in the non-OECD countries. Overall the range of uncertainty due to high and low price of energy worldwide will be 106 quadrillion Btu by 2030 (International Energy Outlook 2009).

The world oil price cases will affect the non-OECD countries by using a mix of energy fuels consumption. Liquids consumption will decrease as oils price rise, as countries with other fuel alternatives in the electric power can substitute it with coal and other fuels, as in the case of Singapore, electricity is generated with coal. In the low price case, the use of liquids is estimated to increase for electricity generation, as a result countries like Singapore will be maintaining their oil-fired generating capacity in the lower price environment and vice versa in the case of higher price environment (International Energy Outlook 2009). http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/world.html

Image credit: Energy Consumption by Sectors in 2005 via National Energy Policy Report; Energy Intensity Indexed to 1990 Level via E2 Singapore; Summary of Policies and Measures in E2 Singapore via National Climate Change Strategy.

May 14, 2009 by Eugene

http://www.lowcarbonsg.com/2009/05/14/overview-of-the-energy-situation-in-singapore/

Conduct an Energy Survey to Identify Energy Saving Opportunities

May 8, 2009 by Eugene

Businesses and Organisations,

An energy survey is a simple assessment of the energy use in your organisation and the aim is to identify and correct bad energy habits and practices. Start by forming a small team to conduct the energy survey, appointing an energy manager as the team leader and recruiting staff from different departments as team members.

The team will conduct the energy survey by taking a walk around the offices, building and facilities to observe what is happening on the ground, identify bad and wasteful energy use and habits, and identify opportunities for energy saving.

The survey should be conducted at different timings so as to find out the different energy usage throughout the day and at different periods. Surveys can be carried out:

* At a normal weekday during office hours

* At busy and peak hours

* At lunchtime

* After office hours

* During weekends

Use past and current utility bills, meter data, maintenance records and other energy information to help keep track of the energy usage in your organisation.

Here are some areas to take note of during the energy survey:

Office Equipment

* Are office equipment left on standby after office hours and during weekends? Can we switch them off easily?

* Does the computers, printers, photocopiers and other equipment have built-in energy saving features? Are we using these features and do we know how to use them?

* Can we use software to switch equipment off after office hours?

* Are vending machines and water coolers left on at night? Can we use timers to switch them off after office hours?

Lighting

* facade-lightingAre lights switched off in unoccupied areas or if there is sufficient daylight? Can we reduce unnecessary lighting?

* Can we use motion sensors for the stairs and carpark?

* Are lights switched off when no one is in the room or office? Who is responsible to switch off the lights after office hours?

* Are external and facade lighting switched off during the day? Can we adjust the timers to switch off the lighting earlier?

* Are light fittings arranged strategically and light switches labelled properly?

* Are we still using inefficient lighting? Can we change to energy efficient light bulbs and tubes?

Air-Conditioning and Ventilation

* Is the office too warm or cold? Can we adjust the air-conditioning temperature up to about 25 degree Celsius or at a comfortable high temperature?

* When is the air conditioning switched off and on during the day?

* Are the windows and doors open when the air-conditioning is on?

* Are the air-conditioning and ventilation system maintained and serviced regularly? Are the settings optimised and correct?

* Are there obstructions at air inlets and outlets?

Industrial Equipment

* Do boilers, pumps, fans and other equipment have the correct and optimised settings?

* Are the equipment serviced and maintained regularly?

* Are the equipment misused by operators who are not trained properly?

* Are there any compressed air, refrigerant or steam leaks?

* Are there opportunities to tap waste heat from equipment and exhaust gases?

Success After the energy survey, look at the findings and decide what actions to take. Implement the no-cost or low-cost actions first, such as educating employees, changing habits and practices, proper maintenance of equipment, changing energy settings and removing unnecessary lighting.

Next, consider the higher-cost actions such as installing new energy efficient lighting and equipment, and using energy saving technologies.

Remember to keep the management and employees informed of the energy survey findings, actions taken and energy savings.

http://www.lowcarbonsg.com/tag/energy-saving/

Businesses and Organisations

Use Government Fundings for Energy Audits and Energy Efficient Technologies

May 8, 2009 by Eugene Filed under Businesses and Organisations

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audit-checkThere are several funding and incentive schemes provided by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to help companies reduce their costs in engaging ESCOs or investing in energy saving equipment and technologies.

If companies lack the expertise to manage their energy consumption, they can engage an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to conduct an energy audit for their building or facility, identify energy saving measures and implement projects to reduce energy consumption.

The ESCOs provide a full analysis of the energy flows in and out of a facility, suggest improvements to facility design and operation, and provide financing and implementation of energy saving projects. In Singapore, the ESCOs are accredited under the Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) Accreditation Scheme by the Energy Sustainability Unit (ESU). A list of accredited ESCOs can be found at the ESU website.

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Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)

The NEA has a co-funding scheme called the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), to help companies in the manufacturing and building sectors engage accredited ESCOs to conduct energy audits and recommend energy saving measures.

Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs of engaging an ESCO and capped at $200,000 for a single facility or building over a five-year period. Visit the Energy

Efficient Singapore website for details on the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme.

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Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)

The Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET) provides funding for the Singapore-registered owner or operator of existing or proposed industrial facilities to invest in energy efficient equipment or technologies.

Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs and capped at $2 million per project. Only projects with a payback of more than 3 years and up to 7 years are eligible for funding. Visit the Energy Efficient Singapore website for details on the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET).

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Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance

save-costThis tax allowance scheme encourages companies to replace old inefficient equipment and invest in energy saving equipment. The capital expenditure on the qualifying energy efficient equipment can be written off in one year instead of three. More info about the tax allowance is available here.

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Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)

The Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE) aims to encourage new facilities that are large consumers of energy to integrate energy and resource efficiency improvements into their development plans early in the design stage.

Funding is provided up to 80% of the qualifying costs or $600,000, whichever is lower.

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With these funding schemes, your organisation would be able to reduce your costs in conducting energy audits and investing in energy saving equipment and technologies. Save money and energy at the same time!http://www.lowcarbonsg.com/2009/05/08/use-government-fundings-for-energy-audits-and-energy-efficient-technologies/

Singapore EnergyEfficiency Investment Forum

In the recent years, energy efficiency,along with clean technology andrenewable energy, has become a keyfocus for many countries. Governmentshave set national goals for energyefficiency and energy efficiency isincreasingly becoming a top priority, evenamong private companies. Since 1990,more than half of new global energydemand has been met by energyefficiency alone. The advantages ofenergy efficiency are numerous but thereis still considerable potential for growthin this market. Investing in energyefficiency serves as a hedge against thecurrent trend of rising electricity and oilprices and while it can improve nationalenergy security and balance of energytrade, it also dramatically increasescompetiveness of an industry or companyin which energy cost can range from 20to 70% of operating expenses. Despitethese benefits the market has been slowto establish institutional and financialstructures to exploit the obviousopportunities that it can offer. Thisseminar will bring together successfulenergy efficiency practitioners andcompanies engaged in financing thegoing clean energy market.

Singapore EnergyEfficiency Investment ForumObjectivesAt the end of theprogramme, participantsshould be informed about• the most recentpolicies and advances

in commerciallyattractive energyefficiencyopportunities• the various institutionalstructures, such asESCOs, that aredriving the growthwithin the market• sources of financingand investment to fundtheir energy efficiencyneeds and/or entry intothe market as a serviceproviderTarget Audience• Building and facilitydevelopers• Banks• Energy efficiencyservice providers• Facility managers• Private equityinvestors• Technology providers• Venture capitalists

About SEAS(Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore)

Since 2001 thepredecessor of SEAS,Industry Committee forEnergy Efficiency (ICEE)a part of SingaporeAssociation forEnvironmental,Occupational Health andSafety Companies(SAFEco) has beenconducting seminars,workshops andconferences in the area ofenergy efficiency andmanagement.

ICEE/SAFEco was the firstorganisation to launch theSpecialist Diploma inEnergy Efficiency inconjunction withSingapore Polytechnic.Today, SEAS isspecializing in runningtrainings, courses andconferences only in thearea of sustainable energyi.e. energy efficiency andmanagement, renewableenergy, carbon trading aswell as funding andfinancing of clean energyprojects. SEAS aims to bethe one stop, informationand training provider, inthe area of sustainableenergy. Our trainers andlecturers are not onlyhighly qualified academicprofessionals but alsoindustry specialists andprofessional that aresuccessful and soughtafter practitioners in thearea of SustainableEnergy. Majority of KeyQualified Personnels andAccredited EnergyServices Companies aremembers of SEAS. Theyhave as a groupsuccessfully executed amultitude of energyprojects with varyingcomplexities and demandsboth locally and regionally.http://www.nccc.gov.sg/Newsroom/Singapore%20Energy%20Efficiency%20Investment%20Forum%20%286%20Nov%2008%29.pdf

Esco Names OffWhite to Head Marketing Program

Esco Micro Pte Ltd

Release date: May 3, 2006

(Marietta, Ohio USA, May 3, 2006) Esco Micro Pte Ltd., Singapore, and Esco Technologies, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, have appointed Offenberger & White, Inc., Marietta, OH USA (OffWhite) to head the Esco marketing program worldwide effective July 1, 2006. The announcement was made in Houston, TX by XiangQian Lin, Esco Vice President and Bill White, CEO of OffWhite.

As part of the agreement, OffWhite will manage marketing, advertising, public relations and communications integration for the privately held, Singapore-based developer and manufacturer of life science equipment and instrumentation used in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and clinical laboratory markets. Through the alliance, OffWhite will assist in directing the Esco in-house marketing and communications staff as well as distributor partners located in key markets worldwide.

Founded in 1978, Esco is an emerging leader in research and production of containment and controlled environment technologies for biological safety, cell culture and preservation, drug development and plant/agricultural genetics. The company has actively participated in containment and mitigation efforts related to the epidemiology of SARS and avian flu. Esco products are used for applications in vaccine development and gen 1 etic engineering for medical, agricultural and commercial uses.

Esco operates manufacturing facilities in Singapore and manages direct offices in 10 countries with joint distribution programs in more than 70 countries covering all major life science markets worldwide.

According to Bill White, CEO of OffWhite, the relationship with Esco creates new opportunities for the company's Marietta, Ohio staff to manage global marketing responsibilities, establish diverse peer networks and enhance development of professional skills.

White adds, "Our business objective is to maintain and support a balanced constituency of U.S and international clients who need our services and value our contributions. Our investments in infrastructure, staff training and management information systems permits us to work with selected clients close to home or anywhere in the world. Above all, our clients understand that our work yields cost effective results, which is why nearly all of our clients over the past 21 years have been acquired through referrals."

In a statement from Singapore, Esco Vice President XiangQian Lin said that the appointment of Bill White to the Esco management team ends the company's worldwide search for a strategic marketing partner capable of working at all levels within the company. Lin said, "We expect Bill White and the OffWhite staff to participate in our business enterprises wherever they may be, from research and

development, intellectual property and information mapping, web-enabled sales and technical support to integrated marketing, brand development and media placement."

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/484788

Thermal Cyclers utilize AeonStar(TM) peltier modules.

July 28, 2009 - Providing temperature uniformity, Swift MaxPro and Swift MiniPro feature IsoHeat(TM) temperature control technology with proprietary control algorithms. Swift MaxPro models offer 5 interchangeable blocks to meet requirements for Gradient PCR, Touch Down PCR, High Throughput PCR, and In Situ PCR. MaxManager(TM) software enables remote control of up to 30 MaxPro thermal cyclers via PC. With ramp rates up to 5°C, Swift MiniPro personal thermal cyclers feature LCD screen and graphical programming.

NEW Esco Swift MaxPro and Swift MiniPro Thermal Cyclers

Singapore July 20, 2009 -- Swift MaxPro and Swift MiniPro, Esco's 2nd Generation Thermal Cyclers, Combine Outstanding Flexibility and Ease of Use with Excellent Temperature Performance

Esco, a leader in the development of controlled environment, laboratory and cleanroom equipment solutions, proudly announces the launch of Esco's new generation of thermal cyclers.

Swift MaxPro and MiniPro thermal cyclers feature precisely tuned and tested AeonStar(TM) peltier modules, and unique IsoHeat(TM) temperature control technology with proprietary control algorithms. They deliver high heating and cooling rates, with excellent temperature accuracy and uniformity.

Swift MaxPro thermal cyclers offer 5 interchangeable blocks designed to meet critical requirements for Gradient PCR, Touch Down PCR, High Throughput PCR and In Situ PCR; using a variety of PCR tubes, strips, plates and slides. SmartDrive(TM) automatic block recognition increases user convenience. MaxManager(TM) software enables the remote control of up to 30 MaxPro thermal cyclers via one PC. In addition, a convenient USB port simplifies data transfer and storage; pre-programmed methods simplify setup; and password protection guarantees secure system access. The hot lid, which enables oil free PCR, is adjustable to suit all kinds of tubes.

Swift MiniPro thermal cyclers are compact personal cyclers. With outstanding ramp rates of up to 5 °C, they are one of the fastest personal thermal cyclers on the world market today. A large, graphical LCD screen displays all information on one screen. Intuitive, graphical programming ensures ease of use. Superior temperature performance and an attractive price make the Swift MiniPro the best-value personal thermal cycler on the market today.

Esco thermal cyclers are backed by an industry leading 3 year warranty for main bodies, 2 year warranty for blocks.http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/563546