Singapore Installs Its First Long-Span Wind Turbine

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and energy company ENGIE have deployed Singapore’s first long-span wind turbine at Singapore’s Semakau Landfill.

AsianScientist (Oct. 25, 2017) – Singapore has deployed its first long-span wind turbine at its Semakau Landfill. This is the first of several to be installed in Singapore’s drive towards sustainable energy solutions. The installation was made possible by a collaboration between Nanyang Technology University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), and ENGIE, a global leader in energy.

At 14 stories high, the wind turbine comes with three 10.5-metre long-span rotor blades and produces an electrical output rating of 100 kilowatts, enough to power 45 four-room HDB units a year. It is also sensitive enough to generate power even with wind speeds as low as three meters per second, up to a maximum of 20 meters per second.

“The deployment of Singapore’s first wind turbine is a big milestone in the nation’s commitment in developing clean energy technologies for the region. As a leading global university, NTU is proud to support Singapore’s efforts in meeting its sustainability objectives and pave the way towards a greener future,” said Professor Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Acting Provost, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Research.

The turbine is part of NTU’s Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator–Singapore (REIDS) initiative being built at Semakau Landfill. Managed by NTU’s Energy Research Institute (ERI@N), the REIDS initiative is expected to attract $20 million worth of projects over the next four years, in addition to the initial S$10 million (~US$7.34 million) investment in infrastructure at the landfill.

Along with the wind turbine, each of the hybrid microgrids will integrate with various renewable energy sources such as solar, tidal, diesel, and power-to-gas technologies. Currently, over 4,500 square meters of photovoltaic panels, large-scale lithium-ion energy storage systems as well as a hydrogen refueling station are already operating on the island.

Each of the microgrids is expected to produce stable and consistent power in the half-megawatt range, suitable for small islands, isolated residential areas and emergency power supplies. The microgrids will eventually occupy over 64,000 square meters of land, approximately the size of nine soccer fields.

“Installing the wind turbine on Semakau Landfill is a key highlight in the first phase of the power generation asset installation of the Sustainable Powering of Off-Grid Regions (SPORE) microgrid. This is a significant first step towards the full operation of the first multifluid, decentralized microgrid demonstration in the tropics,” said Mr. Etienne Drouet, Director of ENGIE Lab Singapore.

“ENGIE’s goal is to improve livelihoods and support growth opportunities for businesses and communities, especially those located on remote islands and in villages, through a cost-effective, safe and reliable decentralized power grid that can provide electricity using local renewable resources, thereby reducing dependency on fossil fuels,” he added.

Besides the founding members ENGIE, GE Grid Solutions and Schneider Electric, over 20 companies have partnered with REIDS to co-develop sustainable energy solutions for offshore islands around Southeast Asia. These include ClassNK, DLRE, Murata, REC and Trina Solar.

Twelve new partners will be signing memorandums of understanding with REIDS during the 2017 Singapore International Energy Week, beginning on 23 October, to advance the development and eventual deployment of microgrid solutions in the region.

This includes strong industry representation from both technology providers Emerson, EDF and Keppel, as well as technology adopters such as Medco, an Indonesian power conglomerate, Adaro, a leading Indonesian coal mining company, and Nortis, a Thai Independent Power Producer.

These partnerships will strengthen the microgrids ecosystem in Singapore and allow REIDS to better develop and evaluate microgrid solutions to solve regional electricity problems.

“The diversity and scale of the investments at REIDS to date demonstrate confidence in Singapore as the leading regional hub for clean energy innovation,” said Mr. Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director, Cleantech, Economic Development Board, Singapore.

“The strong presence of leading energy providers and adopters is testament to REIDS’ success in developing an ecosystem to pilot and develop microgrid innovations from Singapore. We welcome more like-minded partners to join us in our efforts to harness practical renewable energy for the region,” he added.

The REIDS initiative will pave the way for similar technologies to be developed, exported and deployed in interconnected urban microgrids and remote communities in Southeast Asia and beyond. It has already attracted the interest of regional adopters such as island communities and utilities.

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Source: Nanyang Technological University.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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