From ECO@CE Fan Page
- Club activities will resume this Friday 13 Jan 2012 at 2pm lab T0309. We will be…
Club activities will resume this Friday 13 Jan 2012 at 2pm lab T0309. We will be assembling the first wall sculpture. …. Mdm Saadiah
- Tml’s briefing for ECO ambassadors will b chg to 3.30pm..
Tml’s briefing for ECO ambassadors will b chg to 3.30pm..
- Attention all ECO ambassadors: tomorrow all to meet outside t03-09 @ 3pm for a b…
Attention all ECO ambassadors: tomorrow all to meet outside t03-09 @ 3pm for a briefing for ECO activity!! Very important!!
- Attention selected students for Sculpture Workshop: Sessions will be held on 14t…
Attention selected students for Sculpture Workshop: Sessions will be held on 14th and 15th December 2011 at Lab T03-09 from 12 – 5pm – Mdm. Saadiah
- All Env Club students, we need you to come back on 28 & 29 Dec 2011, 2.30pm to h…
All Env Club students, we need you to come back on 28 & 29 Dec 2011, 2.30pm to help with the packing for ECO activity Orientation 2012.
- ECO ambassdors’ duties for ECO Activity- Orientation 2012
ECO ambassdors’ duties for ECO Activity- Orientation 2012
World Environment Day
Environmental Education Advisor (EEA) Workshop
March 24, 2011 by sohbengchoo
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On 18 Mar 2011, the Environmental Education Advisor (EEA) Workshop was conducted for MOE and ITE teachers at ITE College East. Mr Eden Liew, Principal, ITE College East addressed the 70 workshop participants, sharing on the ECO activities for ITE College East.
Co-organised together with National Environmental Agency (NEA), the EEA programme aims to set up a robust education network of teachers who will serve as a contact point between NEA and the schools in environmental programmes.EEAs also spearheads environmental programmes in schools with the help of a large pool of student Environment Champions who collate feedback from students.
Textbook _ training notes recycle programme
March 22, 2011 by sohbengchoo
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ITE Recycling Craft Workshop
iDigix 2010
iDigix 2010
ECO-IT Competition
This competition empowers secondary school students as active contributors to show case their ECO-IT project, with aim in the reduction of emissions from their schools and homes.
Guidelines for ECO-IT Project Submission
1. This competition is open to Secondary schools.
2. ECO-IT project submitted should be an existing project that school has completed.
3. ECO-IT project must include elements of Electronics, IT, multimedia and other any technology.
4. ECO-IT project can be in the form of hardware, software or video clips.
5. Participating schools are required to do a simple write up, photos or videos of the project for selection and register on the ECO Portal http://ecocityzone.net before 22nd October 2010.
6. Each school may submit up to two entries.
7. Shortlisted ECO-IT projects will be notified to participate in the final competition at the iDigix 2010 event by 26th October 2010.
8. ECO-IT project will be judged based on the following criteria :
Criteria Weightage
Relevancy to theme 20%
Creativity 20%
Originality 15%
Viability 10%
Voting 30%
. *Voting will take place at the iDigix 2010 event.
9. ITE recognizes that the copyright of all entries shall remain with the entrants. However, as the competition organizer, ITE reserves the right to use the winning entries as well as other suitable ones, with full acknowledgement to the copyright owners, in the promotion of good ECO-IT project, display panels, magazines, and publicity for future competitions etc.
10. ITE reserves the right to change or replace prizes with another of equal or greater value should the featured prize(s) become unavailable. Prizes are not exchangeable for cash.
11. All winners will be announced on the day of the event. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence shall be entertained.
12. Winning Projects will be featured on the ECO Portal.
13. For enquiries, please email to CE_ECO@ITE.EDU.SG
14. Submission of entries signifies the acceptance of the rules and regulations of this competition.
Submit your entry online here …
Singapore Sustainability Awards 2010
Singapore Sustainability Awards 2010
Gala Dinner & Awards Presentation
Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP)
News Release :
National Environment Agency Launches A New Voluntary Partnership Programme To Promote Energy Efficiency In Industry
Singapore, 30 October 2009 – In its drive towards an Energy Efficient Singapore, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be introducing a new industry-focused Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) programme. EENP is a voluntary programme that seeks to help companies improve their energy efficiency by encouraging them to put in place energy efficiency programmes at the organisational level to reduce energy wastage and improve energy efficiency. This in turn will enhance their long-term business competitiveness and reduce their carbon footprint.
In Singapore, the industry sector accounts for almost 60% of total energy consumption with the more energy intensive sub-sector like the petroleum refining, petrochemical, electronics and pharmaceutical industries. This sector has substantial scope for adopting cost-effective energy efficiency solutions, which can contribute to maintaining the overall economic competitiveness.
Launched by Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong at the Clean and Green Singapore 2010 on 30 October 2009, the EENP seeks to foster a culture of sustained energy efficiency improvement in industries and encourage continuous investments in energy efficiency over the long term.
It will augment NEA’s current basket of energy efficiency-related schemes for industries amounting to $40.5 million such as the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET), Design-for-Efficiency (DfE) Scheme and the Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) training grant.
Details of Energy Efficiency National Partnership Programme
Under the EENP, companies will be encouraged to closely work with NEA to form project teams on energy management within their organisations to undertake and implement energy efficiency improvement projects. A framework will also be provided by NEA to train the energy management teams to raise their knowledge, capability and competency in energy efficiency.
NEA will also provide a platform for sharing energy efficiency best practices and according recognition to companies and corporate energy management teams for their efforts in improving energy efficiency.
The three main components of EENP programme are:
a) EENP learning network
The learning network allows companies to learn and share energy efficiency ideas, strategies, technologies, best practices, standards and case studies. This will be achieved through activities such as senior management forums, conferences, technical workshops, energy efficiency benchmarking studies and learning journeys.
b) EENP recognition scheme
An awards ceremony will be held annually by NEA to accord recognition to (1) companies that have introduced excellent energy management practices and demonstrated tangible results, and (2) employees and corporate teams that have implemented good energy efficiency projects.
c) High-Level Committee on EE Partnerships
NEA will form a high-level 3P Steering Committee chaired by SPS Amy Khor, comprising industry reps, experts and policy makers to spearhead the EE partnership and EE awards. The committee will be assisted by a resource panel comprising experts in various fields of EE. (More details will be provided at a later date.)
‘Companies know their own operations best. NEA wants to work with companies to promote greater awareness of energy efficiency and adoption of energy efficiency practices through better sharing of best practices within and across industry sectors. With this programme, we hope to help industry reduce their energy consumption, achieve better savings and improve their competitiveness, thus demonstrating the value of sustainable development,” said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer, National Environment Agency.
Additional Info
Singapore has committed to achieve a 35% reduction in energy intensity (consumption per dollar GDP) in 2030 from 2005 levels under the Sustainable Development Blueprint.
In order to achieve these targets, the government is implementing long-term measures to improve energy efficiency and cut energy waste. For the household sector, NEA has implemented mandatory energy labelling for major energy consuming home appliances and is studying the introduction of minimum energy efficiency requirements for air-conditioners and refrigerators in order to minimise the life-cycle costs of ownership. In the building sector, the BCA has introduced minimum energy performance requirements for new and retrofitted buildings under the Green Mark Scheme and is considering measures to make the existing building stock more energy efficient. LTA is focusing on energy efficient public transport as the preferred mode of travel and is investing in rail and bus infrastructure to shift the passenger transport mode from private cars to public transport.
In order to foster continuous investments in energy efficiency over the long term, NEA maintains a close working relationship with industry. As the industry sector is diverse, NEA must reach out and understand each company’s unique attributes as these have a strong influence on how it considers and makes its investment decisions.
The EENP would help in NEA’s efforts to engage companies at all levels from senior management to the rank and file. The idea of setting up such a partnership was mooted by the Industry Subcommittee of the National Climate Change Committee chaired by SPS/MEWR with the intent of encouraging more energy efficiency projects in industry.
For more information, please contact
Call Centre: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)
Email: Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg
Pros and Cons Of Residential Solar Energy System
Harnessing the power of the sun’s ray to create energy to power our house is very appealing. But the question is, “Is everything about solar energy good?”
Looking at the current price of fossil fuel-based electricity, it is quite impractical to convert into solar energy system. However, with the growing concern on the state of the earth, there is really a need to find other means of energy aside from what power plants are using right now. Where do you place yourself?
Whether you are an advocate of clean energy or simply care about where your finances go, looking at the pros and cons of residential solar energy system will help you decide on whether to convert or not.
Pros
Solar energy is free. Did you know that the earth absorbs 174 pettawatts of solar radiation? This means that we have more than enough source of free energy to power every house in the world. Unfortunately, most of our energy is still drawn from oil, gas and coal. But in recent years, there is a steady increase of demand for alternative and renewable energy like solar power. It is estimated that the demand for alternative sources of energy will increase by 53% between 1999 and 2020.
Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable. Because the energy created from the sun’s rays does not produce byproducts like those from fossil fuel power plants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury or carbon dioxide), it does not contribute to pollution. Accordingly, the increase in the use of solar energy and other alternative forms of energy will decrease the demand for greenhouse gases-producing power plants.
The price of photovoltaic cells is steadily decreasing. The demand for solar panels has risen by 57% in the United States in 2007 and is steadily increasing on a monthly basis. The increase in demand results to the improvement of solar technology as a whole. The prices of photovoltaic cells have declined on the average of 4% every year over the past 15 years.
Solar panels can be installed on most rooftops, eliminating the problem of finding a suitable place for installation. Solar panels require little or no maintenance. The original photovoltaic cells technology is used for most satellites orbiting our earth today which are not maintained at all. Many solar panel manufacturers give 25 to 40 years warranty on their products.
Because most areas of the country receive a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the year, solar panels can be installed anywhere.
Many states in the country give tax credits and rebates to households who want to install solar energy system. Check with your state government the cost of these incentives.
Cons
While the prices of PV cells are in constant decline, the cost of installation is substantially high compared to the current electric cost. But the good thing is, after your initial cash out, you don’t have to pay every month on electric bills for the rest of your life.
On areas cities and areas with heavy pollution problem, solar energy may not work as fine. Weather can also affect the efficiency of solar energy. If it is raining, overcast weather or if there is a hurricane, the solar panels’ efficiency is decreased.
You are only producing energy during day time.
These are general pros and cons you might encounter when considering the conversion to solar energy system. It would be best if your decision is based on location, cost, budget, rebates, tax credits and practicality.
Is Biomass A Green Energy Source?
Is biomass a green energy source? According to experts, yes it is. In fact, it is one of the three main areas of bioenergy.
But what is bioenergy? Well, it is a process by which organic material such as animal waste, plants and wood are used to generate electricity, produce heat and also aid in the production of biofuels.
In the case of biomass, hot air or water is generated to produce electricity. This is done through direct combustion and is considered the simplest and most common method of generating energy from biomass.
Aside from generating electricity, biomass can be used for hot air production so you can keep a place warm. For this to work, biomass has to be combusted in a furnace where it heats either water or air. Speaking of water, this enables you to have warm water so you can take a shower. In short, biomass in itself can also be used in a small scale as a heating system.
Since you can generate electricity and heat, some people have been able to combine the two which is known as combined heat and power or CHP. Something that many consider to be good as you use one energy source for two purposes.
If you are able to compare the amount of electricity generated between biomass and let’s say solar energy, you will notice that biomass produces more because the energy in plants is already captured and stored.
You don’t have to collect it first which is what happens with solar or even wind energy since this is manufactured technology. It is readily available unlike the other two which is totally dependent on the weather.
Another is the fact that you can even use organic waste to product electricity. No other green energy source can do that and by using this extensively, any government can save money because you don’t have to spend money to dispose of the waste and you will no longer depend on foreign oil that much to power your plants.
The downside to biomass is that because you have to burn waste and other organic materials to product power, you add to the pollution which is already in the atmosphere. But this can be offset of course by planting more crops which we know helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
You will also have to shell out a lot of money initially for the costs of labor, the transport of these fuels and how these should be stored.
Biomass uses renewable natural resources which is why it is considered a green energy source. This means that we have an endless supply of it around just like the power of the sun or the wind which flows from the ocean. The challenge is to find suitable land that has a sufficient water supply so these will be able to grow.
This means that in areas where water is not that abundant, you cannot rely on biomass technology to generate power. When that happens, you use other means and one good example given the right geographical location is wave energy which is the process of generating power from the water.
There is a way to generate power without causing harm to the environment. We have the technology and the green energy sources. We just need to muster the willingness to make it happen.
