- The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has awarded $5 million to two projects under Phase 2 of the Pulau Ubin Micro-grid Test-bed. These two projects will leverage the existing micro-grid infrastructure to pilot a range of innovative, near-to-market energy technologies in the areas of energy storage, energy analytics and grid asset management.
- The two projects are:
- Energy Storage (ATEN Pte Ltd and Power Automation Pte Ltd)
- This project will pilot various types of batteries, controlled by a centralised energy management system, to better understand energy storage technologies and their performance in Singapore’s hot and humid environment.
- Real-time Monitoring of Micro-grid’s Performance (Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, BEARS)
- This project involves developing a sensor system capable of online, real-time monitoring of the micro-grid’s performance.
- Energy Storage (ATEN Pte Ltd and Power Automation Pte Ltd)
- On how these projects will help Singapore, Mr Ng Wai Choong, Chief Executive of EMA said, “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.”
- ATEN Pte Ltd, a local enterprise with growing interest in renewable energy integration projects, is collaborating with Power Automation Pte Ltd, a local power system integrator, on the energy storage project. Mr Stanley Seah, Executive Director of ATEN Pte Ltd, said, “We are excited to be given the opportunity to test out energy storage technologies such sodium-ion, zinc-air and lithium-ion batteries in a tropical climate. Heat and humidity will impact battery’s performance. Our project will help to shed light on ways to mitigate tropical climate constraints and enhance battery’s performance.”
- Prof Tseng King Jet, the other award recipient from BEARS, said, “We will be test-bedding a variety of innovative sensors as part of our project. Based on our sensor network, we hope to enhance the overall stability of the micro-grid by recommending pre-emptive measures through analysis of the information collected in real-time. With this, micro-grid maintenance can be carried out more efficiently and effectively.”
- Phase 1 of the test-bed, launched in October 2013, saw a micro-grid built at the jetty area of Pulau Ubin. Over 30 business owners and residents there are now enjoying cost competitive, clean and reliable supply of electricity from the micro-grid. A Request-for-Proposal for Phase 2 was launched in August 2014 for technologies that could be test-bedded using the micro-grid. The proposals received were subjected to assessment by an evaluation panel of experts through a two-stage competitive process.
- More information about the Pulau Ubin Micro-grid Test-bed can be found at www.ema.gov.sg/Pulau_Ubin_Micro-grid_Test_Bed.aspx.
(Please refer to Annexes A and B for details of the two projects.)