Scary, Exciting or Changeable?
New World Energy Order
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Express 218 31 October 2016
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Arrival of the New World Energy Order
It's Halloween and our news might well be scarier for some than ghosts, bloodletting and carved pumpkins.
The days of fossil fuel dominance are over.
There, we said it. The clean energy revolution is underway. No figment of the imagination of pumped up green groups. Or journalists like me who've spent more time and space on climate change and clean energy than anything else for the best part of ten years. No exaggerated claims by renewable energy companies in the business of promoting solar, wind, hydro, wave or tidal. This is a fact. Evidence? On the front page of the very conservative organ of global busines. The Financial Times no less. With the headline on the front page:
Green energy overtakes coal as biggest source of power capacity. Read that again and the quote:
"We are witnessing a transformation of global power markets led by renewables".
Who said that? The most astute and well-informed energy economist  in the world today. None other than Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Here's the story to click on:
Financial Times front page 26 October 2016.
We spent much of the past week covering the Singapore International Energy Week, where industry leaders, Energy Ministers and advocates on most sides of the new energy debate, assembled to talk and exhibit. Energy journalists and analysts still make skeptical sounds as some fossil fuel companies insist that there's always going to be a place for coal, oil, and gas. But there's no turning back. The reality of climate change and the acceptance of the "clear and present danger" that fossil fuels have been - and still are - when it comes to polluting our atmosphere, earth and oceans.
So there's good news of course, but there's still the sad news that it's going to take some time to recover. But there is clearly no alternative - the world must invest much more of its time, attention and money on clean sources of energy. No going back. No more dirty talk. The New World Order for Energy is here to stay, For good.
Ken Hickson
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World embarks on a changed climate & environment for energy - for good!
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+
On 4 November
t
he historic Paris Agreement on climate change enters into force.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
says that "what once seemed unthinkable, is now unstoppable". This is a testament to "the urgency for action", he says, and reflects the consensus of governments that "robust global cooperation, grounded in national action, is essential to meet the climate challenge."
+ Singapore
joined about 196 states to welcome a landmark  agreement to phase out dangerous greenhouse gases widely used in refrigerators and air conditioners.
The agreement to cut hydroflorocarbons (HFCs) use was made at the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP-28) mid-October in Kigali, Rwanda.
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+Electrifying Asia +Solar Supreme +Wind Wonder +Fast Forward
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 + Since 2000
, Asia's made significant contributions to global
economic growth and poverty reduction. Yet nearly half a billion citizens - mostly in rural and far-flung areas - still have no access to electricity. A challenge and appeal from
Shamshad Aktar, UN Under-Secretary General and ESCAP Executive Secretary
, at Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW).
 + Europe is on a fast clean energy track and Asia Pacific should be too. Future technology is coming to the application of clean energy much faster than anyone thought possible. DNV GL's CEO of Energy Ditlev Engel told the SIEW audience that Germany is showing what's possible and others are getting on board.
See how DNV GL is helping with microgrids for renewable energy, for example.
+ The Global Wind Energy Council just published its Global Wind Energy Outlook, outlining h
ow wind
energy
could reach 2,110 GW by 2030, supplying up to 20% of global electricity, while
simultaneously creating 2.4 million new jobs, reducing carbon emissions by more than 3.3 billion tonnes per year, and attracting annual investments of €200 billion.
Read the Reneweconomy/CleanTechnica report.
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New Zealand Taps Tools & Technology for Clean Energy Targets
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+ New Zealand aims higher.
This is one country that is well placed for clean energy, relying mostly on hydro  and geothermal But it's not standing still. The target is for 90% of its electricity to come from renewables by 2025, up from 83% currently. It is also offering its expertise to help other countries to tap clean energy sources.
Minister of Energy and Transport Simon BridgesÂ
told the Singapore International Energy Week forum on "Asia's New Energy Realities" that countries could do much more to cut their reliance on fossil fuels. He's also committed to cut the country's foreign oil imports by speeding up the introduction of electric vehicles.
+ Energy utility Vector from New Zealand
is making a major push into the Australian battery storage market, targeting off-grid and edge of grid markets, as well as small and big business customers.
The company unveiled its utility-scale battery storage installation
in Auckland - the biggest in Australasia or the Pacific -
using the Tesla Powerpack, the large-scale version of the Powerwall. It was officially opened by Energy Minister Simon Bridges at Vector's renovated Glen Innes substation.
+ For decades New Zealand and Indonesia have been working with together to help the
largest
country in
Southeast Asia tap into its
geothermal potential.
Hawkins, the large
NZ construction and infrastructure company
, started two years ago working on two Indonesian geothermal projects - Lumut Balai and Karaha power stations - owned by state-owned Pertamina Geothermal Energy.
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Good news: World's biggest marine reserve in Antarctica
Bad news: 66% of the World's wildlife wiped out by 2020
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 ++The world's biggest marine reserve,
almost as large as Alaska, will be established in the Ross Sea in Antarctica under an agreement reached by representatives of 24 nations and the European Union in Australia.
"I'm absolutely overjoyed," said Lewis Pugh, the UN Patron for the Oceans, and someone who has campaigned for years in support of this new Marina Protected Area (MPA.) "This is the biggest protected area on the land or the sea, this is the first large scale MPA on the high seas, they are largely
-- More than two thirds of the world's wildlife
could be gone by the end of the decade if action isn't taken soon, a new report from the World Wildlife Fund revealed in its latest Living Planet index.
Since 1970, there has already been a 58% overall decline in the numbers of fish, mammals, birds and reptiles worldwide.
Here's what CNN had to say.
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+Eco Expo Hong Kong +Low Carbon Scotland
+Green is the new Black +Waste to Taste Mushrooms
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 +
Eco Expo
drew the crowds to Hong Kong Airport's exhibition centre as it highlighted some of the latest advances in environmental, energy and low  carbon technologies and applications for Asia. Scotland was among the European countries represented as it is recognised as a leader in low carbon/clean energy applications, some already being put to the test in Asia.
 + Green is the new Black Festival in Singapopre attracted large enthusiastic young audiences to check out and listen to entrepreneurs with healthy and eco-friendly products and services for
people, the planet and for profit. Ken Hickson led a panel discussion with four eco-entrepreneurs, promoting sustainable fashion, the upcoming eco-film festival and sustainable storytelling.
Read more about what was happening at this year's festival.
+ Graham Ross
introduced the message and the magic of "sustainable sportswear", including the world's
greenest t-shirt, made entirely from sustainable fibres.
Learn more about Kusaga Athletic
, the Australian company taking a responsible approach to what we wear for good!
 + In Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia we're
hearing a lot more about the circular economy - or the Blue Economy - and how we can turn "waste to taste", by way of
Aurora Sustainability's protected process
using waste heat from a whiskey distillery along with coffee waste to produce edible mushrooms and end up with a very useful natural fertiliser to grow trees faster. Something similar is being done in Australia with coffee waste and mushrooms.
See Fungimental.
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Winning Awards for Energy Efficiency in Singapore & Asia
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 Besides the Energy Efficiency Award winners - the businesses and organisations that hit the energy saving targets - there are a host of very active and enterprising consultants and advisers behind the scenes who go to great lengths to promote the means, the technology and the systems available to achieve greater energy efficiency for buildings and industry. We made the suggestion to the appropriate authorities that perhaps these individuals and consultancies should be in line for awards too. Before that happens, we've taken the initiative to draw attention to four we know a bit about:
+ ACTSYS: Norman Lee (pictured above), the Managing Director, is a regular speaker on EE occasions, including this year's awards event. He spoke about ISO 50001 and why there is not more take up by companies in Singapore.
At the Industrial Energy Efficiency Sharing Seminar organized by NEA, he gave a plenary session presentation on
ISO50001 - Barriers to Adoption by Industry
+ KAER: Has been involved in EE advice and application for many years in Singapore, with a strong focus on improving air conditioning performance. This case study on Kaer's work with a distinctive Orchard Road landmark, was a cover story in the
Singapore Engineer magazine earlier this year.
+ TEALE:
Led by Adrian
Bukmanis, this smart company has been offering very smart solutions to industries and building owners for a number of years in Singapore.
TEALE ASIA
specialises in the management and reduction of energy and carbon utilising advanced software platforms. To achieve great results requires a focus on meaningful data, sound
 engineering principles and engaging the right people. TEALE has a depth of experience in commercial and industrial facilities for clients big and small. Headquartered in Singapore, it provides services and support across SE Asia working with end-clients, consultants and other technology partners.
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Finalists for Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards 2016:
68 Companies from 14 Countries compete in 15 Categories
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An impressive 68 companies from 14 countries have made it to the final round of the 2016 Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA). The finalists were shortlisted by the members of an independent judging panel. ASRA recognises and honours sustainability reporting leaders in Asia. An independent panel of judges with distinguished backgrounds judge the entries to decide the winners.The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards night on 28 November 2016 in Singapore.
See who's on the list to win in any of the 15 categories
for this years award.
The Awards are supported by diverse regional and international organisations, including the British High Commission Singapore, Embassy of Sweden in Singapore, the High Commission of Canada, the British Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), Sasin Centre for Sustainability Management, Systainability Asia, Green Evangelist, Academy of Fashion Professionals, Sustain Ability Showcase Asia (SASA), ABC Carbon and Ginga Environment.
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Eco-Tourism: Fostering Innovation - Sustaining Excellence
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Melina Chan and Katie Hallaran are the Founders of Kinyei International, an
 organisation delivering employment readiness opportunities to young Cambodians through social enterprises Soksabike Tours and Kinyei Café in Battambang since 2009. Melina and Katie are keynotes at the
Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, a force for peace and prosperity, sustainability and healthy lifestyle. Here's more on the
24th Eco-Tourism Conference in Tasmania, Australia, 21-23 November.
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European Influence, Energy Institute, Electric Rickshaws & More
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From floating solar panels to systems that convert waste to electricity, a range of European innovations could help Southeast Asian countries to boost their use of green energy. Some of these technologies are being showcased in Southeast Asia in recent weeks.
Eco-business has the story by Feng Zengkun.
The inventor of an innovative solar chick incubator, solar milking machine and solar-powered boat
now has his
newest item rolling onto the streets in this southern Indian city: A solar rickshaw
taxi. Read the report by
K. Rajendran from Kochi, India for Thomson Reuters Foundation
.
Georgekutty Kariyanappally, the founder of Lifeway Solar Devices Private Ltd., so far has just one prototype operating on the streets, but has supplied another 20 to a nearby tourist resort.
The Energy Institute's Singapore branch is the latest addition to the EI's branch network. Peter Godfrey, Managing Director of Singapore, will be working with local energy companies and EI members to establish sustainable partnerships with like-minded institutions, organisations and individuals that can significantly benefit development of the energy sector in Singapore. Look out for the article in the
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Clearing the air: Airlines Take Flight with Emissions Reductions
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Aviation is a catalytic driver of social development and economic prosperity - it is in the business of freedom, making our world a better place. This agreement ensures that the aviation industry's economic and social contributions are matched with cutting-edge efforts on sustainability. With CORSIA, aviation remains at the forefront of industries in combatting climate change," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO. This and
more from IATA early in October on the "ground-breaking" international aviation emissions reduction agreement.
Every passenger has experienced it: trapped in a plane while it circles for what seems an interminable period
 above the airport where it is supposed to land.
Now, airports and airlines in the region have reached agreement that while delays may be mostly inevitable, it is better to have travelers wait on the ground than in the air.
is a roadmap
with clear milestones to
achieve an annual production of two million tonnes of sustainably produced biofuel for aviation by 2020. The "Biofuels Flight path" is a shared and voluntary commitment by its members to support and promote the production, storage and distribution of sustainably produced drop-in biofuels for use in aviation.
Air pollution is in the air from ground transport too. And while it may be seen as more carbon-friendly, diesel produces more pollution. The fuel is responsible for emitting four times more nitrogen oxide and dioxide (NOx) and 22 times more particulates - especially PM2.5, the tiny particles that penetrate deep into the respiratory system. This
commentary by Nicholas Fang, Simon Tay and Lau Xin Yi appeared in TODAY in Singapore.
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Last Words: What a waste!
# We're a great fan - and friend - of Doug Woodring and welcome spreading the news on what he's up to in the world of Ocean Recovery. Getting trash out of the world's oceans. Came across this story about Doug and his work in the US news service,
Share America. Read all about it here.
# On the subject of waste, Singapore's Straits Times editorialised on the topic recently, referring to the "blight of plastic" all around us.
Humans who can't live without plastic might find life itself under threat when there's more of it than they can cope with.
Read more from the Straits Times.
# We learnt about the work of Winnows managing food waste. We met Maxime Pourrat, MD of Winnows, based in Singapore, at the Green is the New Black Festival.
Winnows mission
is to help the hospitality industry tackle avoidable food waste by connecting the kitchen to empower chefs to run a more efficient operation. It can cut waste in half by making it quick and easy to record exactly what is being wasted through a smart meter. That's smart!
# Waste to Energy is coming into its own and we learnt more about the work of Hitachi in connection with energising waste at the Singapore International Energy Week. Kazumi Mori pointed out where in the world Hitachi Zosen is tackling the waste problem and turning it into useable energy.
See what Hitachi is doing about it.
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Six Books You Should Have in Your Collection!
People keep asking me "where can I get hold of your books?" Here's the full range and all can be found in libraries somewhere in the world - most likely in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Some you will find in bookstores, too. Just ask and name the author and title. Most are available from various online sources, new and used, mostly in print, some as e-books: Try
Amazon,
Abe Books,
World Scientific,
Book Depository or even
Books Kinokuniya. We are even in the process of setting up a online book selection and distribution service ourselves. For these books and, in time, many more, go to our dedicated websites:
or
www.fifthavenue.asia
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Ken Hickson
Managing Editor,
abc carbon express & the avenue for creative arts
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