Reader's Response Draft #1

Daubach (2019) states the challenges Southeast Asia faces in regards to transiting towards clean energy and how to speed up the use of it. The article discussed that Southeast Asia is a diverse region with economies growing at different speeds. Therefore, a single approach will not be adequate in progressing towards a clean energy future; customized solutions are advised. Daubach mentioned that in order to proceed with the transition, usage of "low-carbon technologies" needs to be increased. However, some methods suggested like the use of nuclear fusion are not affordable for Singapore. In addition, it is observed that countries like Singapore consume a large amount of energy, and need to look at “new energy sources”, together with lessening the usage of energy whilst preserving the same habits. While Daubach believed that Southeast Asia will be at risk of global warming if coal usage is not being cut off completely, it is clear that countries like Singapore could use alternative methods to reduce the risk of global warming.

Despite the lack of resources available for Singapore, the usage of solar is one of the more feasible renewable energy for Singapore where the deployment is targeted to quadrupled by 2025, working towards deploying 1.5 GWp, and at least 2GWp by 2030 (Tan, 2021). In the last quarter of 2020, the installation of existing solar energy systems has increased to close to seven times in the past 5 years. Hence contributing to close to 1 percent of Singapore’s electricity demands. In order to lessen the inconsistency of solar energy produced due to the tropical climate, the excess energy will be stored in the Energy Storage Systems which can power more than 200 4-room HDB households for a day (EMA, 2020). By using the Energy Storage Systems, it facilitates the country to consolidate a large amount of sustainable energy into the country’s electricity grid which can be used in the future. Singapore has targeted to deploy a large-scale solar installation in HDB blocks to gain judgement for future developments.

According to the article “Harvest green energy through energy recovery from waste:”, Singapore can use waste energy to solve waste management problems and yet supply sustainable energy, killing two birds with one stone. In this aspect, Singapore has worked around it, resulting in 2% of electricity demands contributed by Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (Tong, H. et al. 2018). MSW includes everyday items we use and disposes of them away from such as paper, cardboard, food waste, animal manure, which are considered to be carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly. Since the amount of Carbon Dioxide produced during the decomposition of MSW is being eliminated by using it for photosynthesis, it is generally not associated with the contribution of global warming.

Reference List:

Daubach, T. (2019). How can Southeast Asia's clean energy transition be sped up? Eco-Business. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from https://www.eco-business.com/news/how-can-southeast-asias-clean-energy-transition-be-sped-up/.

Singapore deploys energy storage systems to help maintain reliable source of solar power supply. (2020). CNA. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/energy-storage-system-first-utility-scale-deployed-ema-1339826.

Singapore’s approach to alternative energy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/singapore-approach-to-alternative-energy/.

Tan, E. (2021). Solar shines as Singapore's energy alternative; international collaboration is key. The Business Time. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/solar-shines-as-singapores-energy-alternative-international-collaboration-is-key.

Tong, H., Yao, Z., Lim, J. W., Mao, L., Zhang, J., Tian, S. G., Peng, Y. H., Wang, C.-H., & Tong, Y. W. (2018). Harvest green energy through energy recovery from waste: A technology review and an assessment of Singapore. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.sciencedirect.com.singaporetech.remotexs.co/science/article/pii/S1364032118306580.