SINGAPORE – Four Singapore organisations bagged top awards at the 2010 ASEAN Energy Awards. Convened annually, the ASEAN Energy Awards recognise efforts by enterprising ASEAN companies to integrate renewable energy and energy efficient solutions in their projects.

The winners are:

ASEAN Energy Awards - Renewable Energy Project Competition 2010

(i) IUT Singapore Pte Ltd - Food Waste to Renewable Energy (Winner, On-grid category)

IUT Singapore Pte Ltd innovatively treats food and organic waste to generate renewable energy. Electricity produced is used to power the plant itself and the excess electricity is exported into Singapore's power grid. By bio-digesting the food waste via a patented process known as Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Slurry (ADOS), this project also helps to reduce the need for landfill space and the methane-rich bio-gas (methane is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change) produced is used to generate power.

(ii) Eco Special Waste Management Pte Ltd - Sewage Sludge Dehydration Using Thermal Energy Generated from Sludge Incineration (Winner, Off-grid category)

This project by Eco Special Waste Management Pte Ltd is the first of its kind in Singapore and the biggest in South-East Asia where sewage sludge is burnt as fuel. The burning process produces thermal energy which is then recycled to dry the sludge.

ASEAN Energy Awards – ASEAN Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings Competition 2010

(iii) Tampines Grande Building (Winner, New and Existing Category)

Tampines Grande cleverly uses covered walkways, landscaping and plants to reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the building. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are also innovatively installed on the rooftops and as part of the façade to harvest solar energy. This is the first commercial development with the largest and most extensive use of solar technology in Singapore. The building is expected to achieve a minimum energy-efficiency of more than 30 per cent compared to a standard commercial office building.

(iv) Fuji Xerox Towers (Winner, Retrofitted Category)

Fuji Xerox Towers has implemented numerous energy conservation initiatives such as upgrading their chiller plant, installing ultrasonic and motion sensors over the past few years and achieved 23 per cent reduction in electricity consumption from 2007 to 2009.

[Tampines Grande and Fuji Xerox Towers are both properties under City Development Ltd. They have attained BCA‟s Green Mark Platinum and Gold awards respectively where energy efficiency is a key criterion. The other criteria for Green Mark include water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality and other green features.]

(v) People’s Association Headquarters (2nd Runner-up, New and Existing Category)

People's Association Headquarters utilises technology and design to maximise its energy efficiency. Solar PV panels are installed, air-conditioning and lighting systems are monitored closely to control usage. To prevent heat gain, the building has an additional roof, a breathable wall and sun shades.

[The People's Association Headquarters is also a BCA Green Mark GoldPLUS award recipient.]

The companies received their awards at the Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner of the 28th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Da Lat City, Vietnam today. Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Education, who attended the Meeting, commended the efforts of the companies and said, "These awards are a testament to the winning companies contributions to more energy efficient buildings and innovative renewable energy solutions. We look forward to more of such companies as Singapore works to become a smart energy economy."

This is the first time our companies participated in the ASEAN Energy Awards - Renewable Energy Project Competition, and they emerged with top honours in the category. Mr Lawrence Wong, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority said, "Despite the scale limitations of renewable energy in Singapore, our companies have shown that they have the capabilities to come up with innovative solutions in this area. These awards highlight the opportunities available for companies to use Singapore as a site for test-bedding of renewable energy options, and a platform for exports to other countries where conditions are more conducive for the deployment of large-scale renewable energy solutions."

Myanmar's representative on the Board of Judges for the ASEAN Energy Awards 2010, Mr U Win Khaing, Vice President, Myanmar Engineering Society, said, "The two renewable energy projects submitted by Singapore were exemplary due to their innovative concepts of utilising daily wastes such as food waste and sewage for power generation. These two projects were lauded as an eye opener for waste utilisation and they have the added benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions significantly."

Agreeing was Mr Ronnie N Sargento, Officer-in-Charge & Project Manager, United Nations Development Programme - Capacity-Building to Remove Barriers to Renewable Energy Development, the Philippines's representative on the Board of Judges. He said, "Singapore is currently showing other ASEAN countries the significance of research and the tangible results it could achieve."

Commenting on the award-winning energy efficient buildings, Dr John Keung, Chief Executive Officer of Building and Construction Authority said, "This shows that both existing and new buildings can achieve equally high standards of energy efficiency through adopting best practices and technologies to consciously reduce energy used. These buildings, which have also received commendations under BCA's Green Mark scheme, will serve as good benchmarks in the course of greening our built environment."

Technologies for energy efficiency, as well as other innovative solutions needed for the region to balance its needs for energy security, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness will be showcased at the upcoming Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2010, to be held from 27 October to 4 November 2010. Building on the theme, "Fuelling the Smart Energy Economy", SIEW 2010 will see more than 10,000 energy professionals, policy makers and commentators coming together to discuss energy issues, strategies and solutions.

Please refer to the Annexes for more information on the ASEAN Energy Awards and the five Award winners.