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

Leave a Comment

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 Energy
Efficiency Investment Forum
In the recent years, energy efficiency,
along with clean technology and
renewable energy, has become a key
focus for many countries. Governments
have set national goals for energy
efficiency and energy efficiency is
increasingly becoming a top priority, even
among private companies. Since 1990,
more than half of new global energy
demand has been met by energy
efficiency alone. The advantages of
energy efficiency are numerous but there
is still considerable potential for growth
in this market. Investing in energy
efficiency serves as a hedge against the
current trend of rising electricity and oil
prices and while it can improve national
energy security and balance of energy
trade, it also dramatically increases
competiveness of an industry or company
in which energy cost can range from 20
to 70% of operating expenses. Despite
these benefits the market has been slow
to establish institutional and financial
structures to exploit the obvious
opportunities that it can offer. This
seminar will bring together successful
energy efficiency practitioners and
companies engaged in financing the
going clean energy market.

Singapore Energy
Efficiency Investment Forum
Objectives
At the end of the
programme, participants
should be informed about
• the most recent
policies and advances
in commercially
attractive energy
efficiency
opportunities
• the various institutional
structures, such as
ESCOs, that are
driving the growth
within the market
• sources of financing
and investment to fund
their energy efficiency
needs and/or entry into
the market as a service
provider
Target Audience
• Building and facility
developers
• Banks
• Energy efficiency
service providers
• Facility managers
• Private equity
investors
• Technology providers
• Venture capitalists

About SEAS(Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore)

Since 2001 the

predecessor of SEAS,
Industry Committee for
Energy Efficiency (ICEE)
a part of Singapore
Association for
Environmental,
Occupational Health and
Safety Companies
(SAFEco) has been
conducting seminars,
workshops and
conferences in the area of
energy efficiency and
management.
ICEE/SAFEco was the first
organisation to launch the
Specialist Diploma in
Energy Efficiency in
conjunction with
Singapore Polytechnic.
Today, SEAS is
specializing in running
trainings, courses and
conferences only in the
area of sustainable energy
i.e. energy efficiency and
management, renewable
energy, carbon trading as
well as funding and
financing of clean energy
projects. SEAS aims to be
the one stop, information
and training provider, in
the area of sustainable
energy. Our trainers and
lecturers are not only
highly qualified academic
professionals but also
industry specialists and
professional that are
successful and sought
after practitioners in the
area of Sustainable
Energy. Majority of Key
Qualified Personnels and
Accredited Energy
Services Companies are
members of SEAS. They
have as a group
successfully executed a
multitude of energy
projects with varying
complexities and demands
both 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