Summary Reader's Response Draft 1

According to the article “Super Low Energy Building Technology Roadmap” (Building Construction Authority, 2021), Building Construction Authority (BCA) has collaborated with many agencies to work towards the goal of making 80% of Singapore’s buildings environmentally friendly. Around S$45 million has been invested into 70 environmentally friendly R&D buildings to maximise energy efficiency in the nation. BCA mentions that funding provided has aided in the development of “several disruptive technologies such as reinventing air conditioning to cool buildings in the tropics”. Innovations such as highly effective desiccant membranes and passive displacement ventilation systems contribute to energy savings of more than 40% on air conditioning alone. Piloting projects to apply R&D results to reality are also encouraged by BCA, through creating a real-world building setting to illustrate the impact and actualise energy efficiency potential of several developing technologies. Hence, BCA suggests that the industry will be more assured in embracing new technologies and practices if benefits and positive outcomes are observed. In addition to BCA efforts, I believe Singapore is going in the right direction towards the target of achieving net zero emissions as Singapore launch floating solar photovoltaic (PV) system and introduce Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Firstly, Public Utilities Board (PUB) began researching the potential of installing floating solar PV systems at reservoirs to analyse the solar potential and possible environmental implications in 2011 (PUB, Floating Solar Systems, 14 Jul 2021). PUB has stated that favourable outcomes were shown in their findings and with proper planning and design, it has insignificant impact on the environment. After several years of testing and research, PUB has installed one of the world's largest inland floating solar farms of 60MWp floating solar PV system on Tengeh Reservoir. The exploration of the idea to install solar panels in the open waters instead of the conventional way which is to install on the roof has enable Singapore to diversify its energy sources. The receiving of sunlight by the PV panels is also maximised as reservoir water bodies are positioned far from buildings and trees. As such, by greatly reducing the shading from the surroundings, power generating efficiency of the panel increases. (Dai, Zhang, Lim, Ang, Qian, Wong, Tan & Wang, 2019).

Secondly, another thing we can look forward to is the ongoing ten-year plan, Singapore Green Plan 2030. (incomplete)

However, the lack of interest from stakeholders is hindering green practices towards sustainable construction (Chua, Laing, Leon & Mabon, 2018). This is due to the uncertainty and the risk that sustainable projects hold (Rafindadi, Mikic, Kovacic & Cekic, 2014) and suggested that we can look into reducing threats and projecting performance. There could be studies about project feasibility in order to attract the stakeholders' interest.

Despite Singapore being a land-scarce country, we have found an alternative solution. (incomplete)

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