A*STAR’s Experimental Power Grid Centre (EPGC), together with Hitachi Ltd and Building and Construction Authority (BCA), have commissioned an advanced Combined Heat and Power (CHP) pilot plant, furthering research in powering cities sustainably
Singapore—Imagine powering a building’s air-conditioning using heat. A newly completed Combined Heat and Power (CHP) pilot plant has been commissioned to harness waste heat, and convert it to energy to power air-conditioning. A*STAR’s EPGC and Hitachi have been working on a joint verification testing of the CHP control systems, which will control heat and power facilities as the operating point to best minimise costs and energy consumption. The plant marks the successful completion of a milestone in the three-year research collaboration project between EPGC and Hitachi.
The advanced CHP plant combines EPGC’s expertise in energy technologies with Hitachi’s strength in energy-saving air conditioning control systems that have been developed and commercialised[1]The newly operational plant is funded by the A*STAR-Ministry of National Development (MND) Green Building Joint Grant call. As the lead agency championing the green building movement, BCA administers this grant as part of its drive towards more environment-friendly energy-efficient buildings..
CHP systems are not widely adopted in Singapore as most buildings obtain power from the grid[2][3] of total electricity consumption in a commercial building. With the large electricity consumption, there is a need for an energy efficient system that decreases reliance on fossil fuels, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. This is crucial as buildings are estimated to contribute almost 14 percent[4] of Singapore’s carbon emissions by 2020. to provide electricity for air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation systems (ACMV), water pumps, lights and other services such as lifts and escalators. These needs account for up to 54 percent
Driving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Buildings
The advanced CHP pilot plant will enhance a building’s efficiency and sustainability as it explores the integration and control of two systems—utilising existing embedded generation[5] and using excess heat from generators, normally discharged into the environment, for heating and cooling purposes in air conditioning.
When a CHP system is integrated into a building, a generator need not perform at full capacity as excess heat is now used to power air-conditioning. The building now has the ability to produce and control both electrical power, and heating and cooling services required to power air conditioning, thus increasing energy-efficiency. EPGC and Hitachi estimate an increase in energy efficiency from 36 percent with just a generator, to 52 percent with the implementation of this integrated system.
The simulation software developed in this project can simulate various building system configurations. This enables consultants to implement the best control strategy resulting in optimal performance, thus improving energy savings even before a building is built.
Associate Professor Ashwin M Khambadkone, Programme Director of EPGC said, “With the commissioning of the advanced CHP pilot plant, EPGC is able to provide a platform to further research in energy efficiency in buildings. Our research in this field addresses the Government’s call for more environment-friendly energy-efficient buildings and penetration of renewable energy. The CHP pilot plant further supports the Building to Grid (B2G) concept, enabling buildings to act as virtual power plants.”Mr Kunizo Sakai, Vice President and Executive Officer and President & CEO of Hitachi’s Infrastructure Systems Company said, “Hitachi is pleased to collaborate with A*STAR to establish the advanced CHP pilot plant. Coupled with Hitachi’s expertise in optimised energy-saving air conditioning control technologies and EPGC’s microgrid technologies, we are sure that the pilot plant will create new cutting-edge and valuable technologies for buildings, factories and community. We will commercialise the CHP control systems in 2015 based on the results obtained through this joint research and provide solutions of increasing energy-efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions with lower cost for buildings and factories, primarily in Asia.”Dr John Keung, Chief Executive Officer of BCA said, “The CHP pilot plant project is a statement of a strong joint research collaboration between the research community and private sector. We wish to see more companies coming forward and engage in collaborative efforts in future research and development, and demonstration of green building projects for the built environment.”
The Future of CHP in Singapore
Building to Grid (B2G) is a new concept that leverages on a building’s capability to generate electricity on its own for the building’s needs through embedded generation. The building will then become a grid in itself, also known as a microgrid. When many building microgrids with CHP systems are connected to the power grid, these buildings are now able to power the grid and potentially supply excess electricity power to the grid.
The integration of CHP system into the B2G concept enables the building to act as a virtual power plant. This enhances the grid’s resilience to function independently and decreases reliance on the main power grid, which is useful during emergencies or disasters. With B2G, the grid can respond faster to load changes, allowing more intermittent renewable energy to be integrated into the grid.
The CHP pilot plant will function as a platform for experimental support to explore new research ideas for potential energy savings benefits, and study the feasibility of robust energy management and control system under various weather conditions, for greener buildings in Singapore. The pilot plant will be an enabler for buildings to function independently, bringing the B2G concept to life.
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Fazilah Latif
Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6419 6529 or +65 9009 1973
Email: fazilah-latif@scei.a-star.edu.sg
Kazuko Amamoto
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Group,
Hitachi Asia Ltd.
Tel: +65 6212 1797
Email: kamamoto@has.hitachi.com.sg
Letchimi Palanisamy
Senior Communications Manager,
Building and Construction Authority
Tel: +65 6325 7756 or +65 9423 0124
Email: letchimi_palanisamy@bca.gov.sg