SIEW Thinktank Roundtable – ERI@N: Advancing the Net Zero Transition through Technology

At the SIEW Thinktank Roundtable hosted by the Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang Technological University (ERI@N), experts weighed in that decarbonisation efforts can be increased by engaging consumers.

Mr Cherif Assaf, Programme Director, Multi Energy Systems and Grids, ERI@N, emphasised in his Opening Remarks that achieving net zero requires investing in and enhancing the pace of change across the energy landscape to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Against the backdrop of global energy developments and the impetus to align the global energy transition with our climate goals, developing a net zero strategy requires a holistic strategy and plan. This will be needed to advance and secure a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Focusing on the five key pillars of Energy Efficiency, Electrification, Renewables (with a focus on geothermal), Fuel Diversification and Carbon Capture, various strategies and projects covering a comprehensive and integrated net zero approach were discussed during the Roundtable.

Dr Stefano Mazzoni, Co-founder & Partner, MEDS Venture Global, presenting at the Roundtable.

Dr Stefano Mazzoni, Co-founder & Partner, MEDS Venture Global, introduced MEDS' net zero strategic plans. He explained how the company environment has to be taken into account and what MEDS can achieve in terms of capital expenditure and operational expenditure reductions and CO2 offsets. Finally, he spoke about how MEDS can support the customer during the journey from technical support to financial support.

Prof Alessandro Romagnoli, Co-Director of NTU Surbana Jurong Corporate Lab, Cluster Director, Multi Energy Systems & Grids, ERI@N, speaking on geothermal's potential.

Prof Alessandro Romagnoli, Co-Director of NTU Surbana Jurong Corporate Lab, Cluster Director, Multi Energy Systems & Grids, ERI@N, presented a new opportunity for Singapore through its geothermal potential and what has been achieved so far.

Hot springs and high heat flow within Singapore suggest a potential for feasible geothermal energy extraction. He added that deep, slim hole drilling into Singapore's granite for geological and subsurface temperature data is ongoing. He also shared that there are ongoing projects using computer model development and studies on potential applications to use heat energy for power generation, space cooling and desalination.

Dr Mazzoni presented on behalf of Dr Alberto Ravagni, Co-founder, Climate Neutral Clean Energy Architect, Managing Director, Infraprime. The former introduced net zero resilient energy solutions for data centres integrated in urban communities. He shared that the solution covered a full-fledged net zero solution for a data centre and the use of captured carbon for urban cooling.

Mr Manish Pant, Zone President, East Asia & Japan, Schneider Electric, sharing his vision of the new electric world.

Finally, Mr Manish Pant, President, East Asia & Japan, Schneider Electric, presented his company's vision of the new electric world. He said a convergence of digital and electric is the key to a sustainable and resilient new electric world. Proven to be three to five times more efficient than other sources, electricity is the most efficient energy and best vector for decarbonisation.

By 2040, the share of electricity in Schneider Electric’s projects will double to at least 40% of final energy consumption, with six times more electricity generated from solar and wind. With digital innovation, the invisible becomes visible, eliminating waste and driving efficiency.

He also shared that smart devices, apps, analytics and software are enablers to deploy smart energy more efficiently. These could address a huge amount of untapped potential for energy savings.