NTU Singapore to build an offshore integrated system of renewable energy sources

NTU Singapore to build an offshore integrated system of renewable energy
sources

Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) is building an offshore
system that will integrate multiple renewable energy sources such as solar,
wind, tidal, diesel, and power-to-gas technologies.

The region's first large-scale offshore power grid system, it will have four
hybrid microgrids, occupying over 64,000 sq metres of land or roughly about
eight soccer fields. The system will be built at Semakau Landfill which is
managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA). It will have over 3,000
sq. metres of photovoltaic (PV) panels, including energy storage systems
that are already in operation.

The deployment of the first hybrid microgrid was announced today by Mr
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources at the
Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) held at the Sands Expo and Convention
Centre, Marina Bay Sands.

"I am happy to announce that the first microgrid has just been deployed and
it will enable the National Environment Agency (NEA) to power its
infrastructure on Semakau Landfill using electricity generated through
zero-carbon means. The use of energy storage and microgrid control
technologies will allow the landfill to reduce its reliance on diesel-based
power and transition towards renewable energy. I am also pleased to share
that REIDS will deploy 3 further microgrids on Semakau Landfill to test the
interoperability of various microgrid solutions."

Once all four hybrid microgrids are fully built, they are expected to
produce stable and consistent power in the megawatt (MW) range, suitable for
small islands, isolated villages, and emergency power supplies.

It will also produce energy amounting to the equivalent of the average
energy consumption of 250 4-room HDB flats for a year. Fish hatcheries and
nurseries located at Semakau Landfill will be among the first to be powered.

Harnessing nature's power

Built under the Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator-Singapore (REIDS)
initiative led by NTU, the hybrid power grid system will test the
integration of solar, wind, tidal-current, diesel, energy storage and
power-to-gas technologies and ensure these energy sources operate well
together.

NTU Chief of Staff and Vice-President (Research) Prof Lam Khin Yong said
"The deployment of this first hybrid microgrid is a big leap towards
low-carbon electricity production for the nation and the region. As a global
leader in sustainability research, NTU is proud to champion this
ground-breaking initiative and lead Singapore's charge in developing
practical renewable energy solutions."

NTU Singapore to build an offshore integrated system of renewable energy
sources

The first in the region, NTU's large-scale offshore microgrid system will
occupy over 64,000 sq meters of land or roughly about eight soccer fields,
integrating multiple renewable energy sources. Credit: NTU Singapore

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and NEA, NTU's
REIDS initiative will also facilitate the development and commercialisation
of microgrid technologies suited for a tropical island.

Mr Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director of Cleantech at EDB said, "Singapore
has identified microgrids as a key growth area for the clean energy
industry. REIDS is the largest microgrid R&D platform in Southeast Asia and
therefore is instrumental to Singapore's ambition to achieve a global
leadership position in microgrids and serve the regional markets. Since its
launch in 2014, the REIDS platform has been successful in attracting leading
solution providers and regional adopters to develop, demonstrate and export
microgrid solutions from Singapore."

Mr Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of NEA, said, "The REIDS project will
lead to innovative sustainable energy solutions that will help to address
climate change. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is very pleased to
support this landmark effort to explore the integration of renewable energy
into micro-grid solutions."

Managed by NTU's Energy Research Institute (ERI@N), the REIDS initiative is
expected to attract $20 million worth of projects over the next five years,
in addition to the initial $10 million investment in infrastructure at the
landfill.

Spearheading offshore microgrid solutions with strong industry support

REIDS has attracted investments from top energy and microgrid companies
which aim to co-develop such solutions to serve the growing market in
Southeast Asia.

The four microgrid systems will be developed by ENGIE, GE Grid Solutions, LS
Industrial Solutions (LSIS) and Schneider Electric. Other partners include
Accenture, Class NK, DLRE, Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), Trina Solar.
LSIS and Sony were also announced as partners today at ACES 2016.

The REIDS platform will pave the way for similar technologies to be
developed and exported to serve the numerous remote communities in Southeast
Asia and beyond. It has already attracted the interest of regional adopters
such as island communities and utilities.

For instance, Bawah Island, an Indonesian island in the South China Sea, and
Meralco, the largest electric distribution company in the Philippines, will
partner REIDS to develop offshore microgrid projects.

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Ref:
http://phys.org/news/2016-10-ntu-singapore-offshore-renewable-energy.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com