"45 cents" more than enough to energise young Singaporeans

Students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with their Eco Car (NP-Distanza Proto). Made of carbon fibre, this year’s eco-car has a much more streamlined look to it. It is torpedo-shaped and powered by pure hydrogen, with a hydraulic brake system that enhances its safety and stability.

Forty-five cents.

That was the sum total of Darrell Zhang’s bank account just one year ago.

Today, not only has his bank account recovered, but the co-founder of data analytics platform Intraix has also seen his energy-saving software being adopted in Japanese households; and its mobile app cousin used at Singapore’s Southwest Community Development Council.

“My mother told me then that it was time to try something else, but my partner and I had the passion and belief that we could help consumers save energy, save money and ultimately help reduce carbon emissions,” said the recent graduate of the National University of Singapore. Mr Zhang was speaking to more than 200 students during the first segment of the “In Dialogue With Youth” event at the Singapore International Energy Week this morning.

And the students from secondary and tertiary institutions seemed similarly inclined. In fact, during a “live” online snap poll conducted after the sharing session, almost 70% said they would consider pursuing a career in the energy sector, with most interested in the Clean Energy Sector.

When these results were shared with Minister in Prime Minister’s Office S Iswaran at the second segment of the Dialogue, he was quick to congratulate the students on their foresight in recognising the importance of securing the country’s energy future.

“I hope you all go forward to evangelise this perspective further and spread the word. We all have to own it, and it is everyone’s individual responsibility to do their part in shaping and sustaining our energy future,” said Mr Iswaran, who spent 90 minutes in lively dialogue with the students. In the audience was also YB Pehin Dato Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Brunei’s Minister of Energy, and Mark McArdle, Minister of Energy & Water Supply, Queensland Government, Australia.

When asked by students about whether Singapore was doing enough integrate renewable energy into its energy mix, Mr Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, was quick to assure them that it is indeed a priority for the government. However, he said that it was also important to balance this with systemic opportunity costs.

For instance, while solar energy has the best potential now, he noted that even if solar photovoltaic panels were deployed at all viable spaces in Singapore now, it would still meet only 10% of the country’s current energy needs.

Therefore, while Singapore continues to explore new ways to utilise renewable energy, he emphasised to students the importance of remaining “technologically agnostic” and “open-minded” to embrace newer, better energy advances if and when they do occur.

Mr Iswaran went on to urge students to continue contributing new ideas, technologies and solutions to help secure the country's energy future. He cited examples of active youth involvement in the energy debate – including Energy Carta, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes energy awareness among local and international youths through conferences such as the Asian Youth Energy Summit, games and business case competitions. Energy Carta won a Special Mention at this year's Singapore Energy Award.

After the dialogue, Brunei’s Dato Dr Awang said: “It was a good discussion with youth about economic development, the environment and energy security, as the Minister talked about. This ties in with also developing a clear policy of conservation and efficiency in our energy systems. As a government policy maker, it gives me hope because these are the people who will in the future use energy or abuse energy.”

BY : EMA Staff