Singapore, 19 November 2009 – The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has launched a pilot project for an "Intelligent Energy System" (IES). The project will test a range of smart grid technologies to enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s power grid infrastructure.

Across the world, governments and companies are looking at ways to modernise their electricity transmission and distribution networks with new information, communication and sensor technologies. Singapore already has a high-quality power system, which is amongst the most reliable in the world. Nevertheless, there is scope to leverage on new technologies to further improve the capabilities of our power grid. This pilot represents a first step in the move to develop a smarter grid for Singapore.

Announcing the launch of the IES pilot project during the Smart Grids 2009 Summit, as part of the Singapore International Energy Week, Mr Lawrence Wong, Chief Executive of EMA, said, "With this pilot, we will lay the foundations for an even more intelligent energy system in Singapore. We will bring the capabilities of our power grid to the next level and ensure that our electricity infrastructure is ready for the future."

The EMA will be working on this project with various government agencies, including the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), the Housing & Development Board (HDB), the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Specifically, the IES pilot project seeks to develop and test the following components of a smart grid (a diagram illustrating the interaction between these components and the current power system in Singapore is in the attached document): 

• Advanced Metering and Communications Infrastructure: Advanced electrical meters (known as "smart meters") are a key technology for the smart grid. The smart meters will be connected through an appropriate communications network, be it fibre-optic cables, Wi-Fi or radio frequency. They provide both energy providers and consumers with detailed information on how much electricity is being used and fed into the grid. This 2-way flow of information will enable both providers and consumers to make more informed decisions about electricity use.
• Demand Response Management Systems: Demand management systems can be connected to appliances, homes or office buildings. They enable users to monitor and manage their electricity consumption according to changes in the electricity price. Consumers will be able to optimise their electricity usage, while providers will benefit from better grid load planning and lower costs.
• Management Systems for Distributed Energy Sources: These control systems enable the grid to integrate the increasing number of small and variable sources of power, for example, from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and mini co-generation plants. They also cater to the future possibility of large numbers of electric vehicles connecting to the grid, both to draw electricity from the grid and also to supply electricity to the grid during periods of peak demand. 

The IES pilot project will be implemented on multiple sites. The focal point of the project will be at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which has the research and technological capabilities to facilitate the testing of the various smart grid applications and solutions. Beyond the NTU site, the pilot will also be deployed in other locations, including the neighbouring CleanTech Park at Jalan Bahar, as well as selected residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This will facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of various applications and communication methods for
different building configurations.

Industry players interested in the IES pilot project are invited to participate in a pre-qualification exercise. The Pre-Qualification documents are available online on GeBIZ (www.gebiz.gov.sg) and the closing date for the submissions is 18 December 2009. Through this process, EMA will be selecting industry partner(s) to work together with the grid owner/operator, Singapore Power, to implement the project.