Eight appeared to be a lucky number last evening as Singapore organisations took home eight awards at the 2011 ASEAN Energy Awards held in Brunei. It was also the largest haul for the city-state in the history of the Awards, which began in 2000 as due recognition to innovative companies in ASEAN countries for their efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.
The awards were presented at the 29th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on 21 September night, with Singapore's Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry and the Prime Minister's Office, Mr S Iswaran, lauding that "the increasing number of Singapore companies receiving the awards is a testament to Singapore's role as a 'living laboratory' for clean energy and energy efficiency solutions".
This year also marks the first time a Singapore-based company participated and emerged among the winners in the ASEAN Energy Awards--Large Industry Category of Energy Management Competition.To encourage more organisations to adopt similar energy management programmes and prepare for the city-state's upcoming Energy Conservation Act in 2013, the Energy Market Authority and other agencies from the Energy Efficiency Programme Office will foster capabilities and energy efficiency best practices among organisations in Singapore. Innovative energy efficiency and cleantech will also be showcased at the Singapore International Energy Week this coming 31 October to 4 November.
And the winners are_
Bosch Southeast Asia Headquarters
Award: Second runner-up in the Energy Efficiency Competition (New & Existing Category)
Raising the bar for: Cutting down energy consumption by about 32 percent over other comparable industrial buildings in a 12-month time frame. The company generates 3 percent of its monthly energy use through solar panels on the rooftop of its Southeast Asia headquarters building.
Singapore's first eco mall. (Photo credit: CityDevelopment Ltd)
City Square Mall
Award: First runner-up in the First Energy Efficiency Competition (New & Existing Category)
Raising the bar for: Over 30 percent saved in electricity versus other similar buildings, thanks to state-of-the-art green building features. This is also the first shopping centre in the Republic to be awarded the Building & Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum Award.
Enhanced Air Quality Pte Ltd
Award: Special submission for the Energy Efficiency Competition
Raising the bar for: Total energy savings of 14 percent of conventional air-conditioning systems, after the Single Coil Twin Fan system was developed by the company and demonstrated at BCA's Zero Energy Building (ZEB@BCA Academy).
GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing Pte Ltd)
Award: First runner-up in the Large Industry Category of Energy Management Competition
Raising the bar for: A consistent 5 percent in energy savings achieved year-on-year since 2007. This is also the first time a Singapore-based company has participated in this category.
Ministry of Manpower Headquarters
Award: First runner-up for the Energy Efficiency Competition (Retrofit Category)
Raising the bar for: Reducing electricity consumption for lighting by 50 percent and overall heat load by 20 percent, thanks to several initiatives under a Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract since 2007.
Natflow Pte Ltd
Award: Special submission for the Energy Efficiency Competition
Raising the bar for: Annual savings of up to S$150,000 and a reduction of up to 175,000kg yearly of carbon emissions, driven by the hospital's "Innovative Heat Recovery" system to recovers waste heat from air-conditioning systems to produce heated water (60_C).
Solar panels on The Budget Terminal's roof.(Photo credit: Singapore Changi Airport)
The Galen
Award: Top winner for the Energy Efficiency Competition (Retrofit Category)
Raising the bar for: Annual cost savings of S$1.1 million and a drop in carbon emissions of 2,700 metric tonnes per year, due to a new chiller plant equipped with a state-of-the-art Energy Management System (EMS).