The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore, has recently awarded the sum of S$5 million towards Phase 2 of the clean energy development of the Micro-grid Test-bed Project in Pulau Ubin.
We had previously reported on Phase 1 of the project, which had launched a micro-grid within the Pulau Ubin jetty area in October 2013. Phase 2 will be an extension of the project, focusing on the storage capabilities of sustainable energy solutions.
Since the conception of the energy grid through Phase 1, more than 30 business owners and residents have relished in the sustainable energy supply benefits. The benefits including cost competitiveness, smaller carbon footprint, and a dependable supply of energy.
The two projects rolling out in Phase 2 focus on Energy Storage and Real-time Monitoring of the Micro-grid’s Performance.
The Energy Storage project is being carried out by two separate private companies. This will focus on piloting the different types of batteries, in order to better understand the behaviour of the energy storage advanced technologies and their performance given the hot and humid climate of Singapore.
Whereas, the Real-time Monitoring project, run by the Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, focuses on developing a sensor system to serve online monitoring of the Micro-grid performance in real-time. This would allow individuals outside of Pulau Ubin to manage the energy grid.
With respect to how these projects can help Singapore thrive, Mr Ng Wai Choong, Chief Executive, EMA, stated, “We hope to understand how different technologies in energy storage can support the integration of intermittent solar energy into Singapore’s grid while maintaining grid stability. We are also keen to explore how energy analytics and innovative sensors can further enhance the efficiency and resilience of Singapore’s power system.”
The finishing touches on Phase 2 will be completed by mid-year 2016. A review of Phase 2 results and findings will be created by the end of the year 2017.
Further information about Phase 2 of the Pulau Ubin Micro-grid Test-bed can be found at www.ema.gov.sg/Pulau_Ubin_Micro-grid_Test_Bed.aspx.