Microgrids can help with global energy transition – panellists
Microgrids could be the answer to issues of energy poverty and climate change, particularly in rural areas, but challenges include convincing and training local communities to adopt the technology, panellists said on Thursday at Singapore International Energy Week 2015...
Panellists speaking at the Distributed Energy Generation and Integration: Policy and Technology Challenges and Opportunities roundtable hosted by Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) at SIEW 2015
By Darryl Chan
Microgrids could be the answer to issues of energy poverty and climate change, particularly in rural areas, but challenges include convincing and training local communities to adopt the technology, panellists said on Thursday at Singapore International Energy Week 2015.
With plug-and-play capabilities, microgrids could be used to integrate renewable generation sources, such as wind and solar, and help increase the share of clean energy in the global fuel mix, the panellists said at a roundtable discussion on distributed energy generation and integration.
“Microgrids can contribute positively to the energy transition,” said Alain Glatigny, vice president of France’s Schneider Electric.
The localised grids can provide reliable and secure power to millions of households that are not connected to national grids, the panellists said, citing the example of The Philippines and its 7,000 islands, where many people use generators powered by pricey and polluting diesel fuel because they do not have direct access to electricity.
“With microgrids, you can truly make life better for the population,” said Professor Hans Puttgen, a senior director of the Energy Research Institute at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.
But many challenges still need to be overcome. Developers and regulators must work hand-in-hand with local communities to ensure the smooth deployment of microgrids without disrupting the livelihoods of residents, the panellists said.
Local people must be trained to maintain and operate the systems and there must be sound policies and regulations in place to ensure the commercial viability and long-term sustainability of microgrid developments, they added.
About Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW)
In its 8th edition, Singapore International Energy Week is the premier platform in Asia for energy insights, partnerships and dialogue, bringing together the world’s leading conferences, exhibitions and roundtables in one week and one location. SIEW enriches the global energy conversation by convening political, business, academic and energy industry thought-leaders to define and advance the world’s energy challenges, solutions and actions across the spectrum of oil and gas, clean and renewable energy, and energy infrastructure financing.
Please visit www.siew.gov.sg for more information.
About the Energy Market Authority
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) is a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Our main goals are to ensure a reliable and secure energy supply, promote effective competition in the energy market and develop a dynamic energy sector in Singapore. Through our work, we seek to forge a progressive energy landscape for sustained growth.
Please visit www.ema.gov.sg for more information.