The Singapore Engineer June 2021

THE MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SINGAPORE

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021 | MCI (P) 020/03/2021

COVER STORY: Sembcorp Industries unveils bold climate action plan

PLUS

CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE: An attractive pathway towards a purposeful career in engineering DIGITALISATION: New signal analyser enables customers test performance of millimeter-wave innovations CFD SIMULATION: Using a supercomputer for product innovation

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CHARTERED ENGINEER (SINGAPORE)

❑ AEROSPACE

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❑ ENERGY

❑ ENVIRONMENTAL ❑ SYSTEMS ❑ DIGITAL (New!) & WATER

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CONTENTS FEATURES COVER STORY

14 Sembcorp Industries unveils bold climate action plan

The group is committed to the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

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MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

16 A home-grown specialist in cooling tower technologies

The company won an Enterprise 50 Award for 2020.

CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE

18 An attractive pathway towards a purposeful career in engineering ‘The Singapore Engineer’ speaks to a Chartered Engineer on his career progression.

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DIGITALISATION

21 Pushing past the tipping point: how Singapore is leading the charge in electric vehicles The technologies deployed highlight the economic, social and environmental gains possible.

24 New signal analyser enables customers test performance of millimeter-wave innovations Industries that will benefit include 5G, aerospace and defence, automotive, and satellite communications.

26 Rising trends in the adoption of collaborative automation Advantages include competitive costs, rapid payback and ease of deployment.

President Dr Richard Kwok Chief Editor T Bhaskaran t_b_n8@yahoo.com

Publications Manager Desmond Teo desmond@iesnet.org.sg Snr Publications Executive Queek Jiayu jiayu@iesnet.org.sg

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Editorial Panel Dr Chandra Segaran Prof Er Meng Joo Dr Ang Keng Been Mr Gary Chiam Dr Victor Sim Mr Syafiq Shahul Dr Alexander Wiegand Media Representative Multimedia Communications (2000) Pte Ltd sales@multimediacomms.sg

Design & layout by 2EZ Asia Pte Ltd Cover designed by Irin Kuah Cover images by Sembcorp Industries Published by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore 70 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289758 Tel: 6469 5000 I Fax: 6467 1108 Printed in Singapore

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021

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CFD SIMULATION

28 Using a supercomputer for product innovation

Previously unfeasible simulations can now be done much faster.

PROJECT APPLICATION

30 Developing expertise in smart office lighting through implementations The collaboration between a leading design and engineering consultancy and a world leader in lighting yields positive results.

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31 Driving sustainability throughout the supply chain Digital solutions help to increase energy efficiency.

SUSTAINABILITY

32 Innovative carbon capture technologies

An overview of the different methods currently deployed and those that are being developed.

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34 The road to greener hydrogen A look at the existing scenario and future possibilities.

REGULAR SECTIONS 03 13 35 39

INDUSTRY NEWS EVENTS PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS IES UPDATE

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The Singapore Engineer is published monthly by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES). The publication is distributed free-of-charge to IES members and affiliates. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or IES. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine shall be reproduced, mechanically or electronically, without the prior consent of IES. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of the content at press time, IES will not be liable for any discrepancies. Unsolicited contributions are welcome but their inclusion in the magazine is at the discretion of the Editor.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

JTC AND SHELL TO EXPLORE THE DEVELOPMENT

OF A SOLAR FARM IN SEMAKAU JTC Corporation (JTC) and Shell Singapore have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Energy Market Authority (EMA) to jointly explore developing a solar farm on part of Semakau Landfill, south of the Singapore mainland. If successful, the solar farm would reduce the country’s carbon emissions and meet its growing clean energy needs. The solar farm will also be the first large-scale solar project in Singapore where a sanitary landfill is also used for clean energy generation.

This project is aligned with Singapore’s target to increase solar deployment to at least 2 GWp by 2030.

The solar farm is expected take up an area of 60 ha and have a capacity of at least 72 MWp, sufficient to reduce CO2 emissions by 37,000 tonnes a year. The energy produced can power up to 17,500 households for a year.

The 37,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year is calculated based on EMA’s Electricity Grid Emission Factors 2020.

The equivalent number of households is based on EMA’s Average Monthly Household Electricity Consumption by Dwelling Type 2020.

Generating solar energy on this scale on an offshore operational landfill comes with its fair share of complexity and challenges. This is where the innovation and creativity of a joint taskforce made up of the various government agencies and Shell come into play, to ensure that an optimal balance is achieved.

Shell’s Pulau Bukom Energy and Chemicals Park is located just 2 km northwest of Semakau Landfill. Working together allows an innovative integration of an intermittent renewable source with Bukom.

Tan Boon Khai, CEO of JTC said, “JTC is piloting new sustainable energy innovations with Shell to maximise the use of renewable energy solutions for our industries.

This project is an example of how we are tapping available land to double up for solar generation to maximise renewable energy generation. Such close collaborations are part of our SolarLand initiative to optimise available land for solar generation in support of Singapore’s clean energy switch”.

Aw Kah Peng, Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, said, “This multi-agency-corporate partnership is a great showcase of the creativity and collaboration that are vital to success in energy transition. With a common goal of enabling more and cleaner energy, we look forward to exploring with our partners this opportunity to maximise the use of Semakau in a way that is compatible with its primary purpose as a landfill. This project is aligned with our 10-year plan to repurpose our core business, cut our own CO2 emissions in the country and help our customers decarbonise”.

Luke Goh, Chief Executive Officer of NEA, said, “NEA is happy to support the deployment of a solar farm on Semakau Landfill. It will contribute towards the national solar deployment target and complement NEA's resource sustainability initiatives. Semakau Landfill remains Singapore’s only operational landfill. To preserve its capacity for as long as possible, we are redoubling efforts to reduce waste and close the waste loop”.

Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive of EMA, said, “Our energy sector is moving towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Solar is our most promising renewable energy source and is a key switch for decarbonisation. Given our limited land space, EMA has been working with government agencies and industry players on innovative ways to harness more solar energy. I look forward to the successful implementation of this offshore solar farm on Semakau Landfill which will demonstrate how we can be creative in our solar deployment”.

In November 2020, Shell Singapore outlined a 10-year plan, under which, the company would make significant investments in people, assets and capabilities to repurpose its core business and cut its own CO2 emissions in the country by about a third within a decade. The reduction is in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and for 100% Shell-controlled operations in Singapore. The reduction is measured against the baseline year of 2018.

As part of this 10-year plan, Shell is transforming its manufacturing business, making it fit for the new future, where Pulau Bukom Energy and Chemicals Park is pivoting from a crude-oil, fuels-based product slate towards new, low-carbon value chains. Shell has set out its target to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society and with customers.

Collaboration to advance decarbonisation solutions Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Shell will jointly develop novel processes to use carbon dioxide (CO2), a byproduct of industrial processes, to produce fuels and chemicals for the energy industry. Supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), this SGD 4.6 million research programme was formalised by all three parties at a ceremony held recently.

This three-year research programme aims to electrochemically produce industrially useful ethanol and n-propanol from CO2 which is otherwise released into the atmosphere.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GLOBAL ENERGY INVESTMENTS SET TO RECOVER IN 2021 BUT REMAIN FAR FROM A NET ZERO PATHWAY Global investment in energy is set to rebound by nearly 10% in 2021 to USD 1.9 trillion, reversing most of last year’s drop caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but spending on clean energy transitions needs to accelerate much more rapidly to meet climate goals, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

With energy investment returning to pre-crisis levels, its composition is continuing to shift towards electricity - 2021 is on course to be the sixth year in a row that investment in the power sector exceeds that in traditional oil and gas supply, according to the World Energy Investment 2021 report.

Global power sector investment is set to increase by around 5% in 2021 to more than USD 820 billion, its highest ever level, after staying flat in 2020. Renewables are dominating investment in new power generation capacity and are expected to account for 70% of the total this year. And that money now goes further than ever in financing clean electricity, with a dollar spent on solar PV deployment today resulting in four times more electricity than 10 years ago, thanks to greatly improved technology and falling costs.

“The rebound in energy investment is a welcome sign, and I am encouraged to see more of it flowing towards renewables. But much greater resources have to be mobilised and directed to clean energy technologies to put the world on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Based on our new Net Zero Roadmap, clean energy investment will need to triple by 2030”, said Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director, IEA. While renewables dominate new power investment, and approvals for coal-fired plants are some 80% below where they were five years ago, coal is not out of the picture. There was even a slight increase in go-aheads for coal-fired plants in 2020, driven by China and some other Asian economies.

Upstream oil and gas investment is expected to rise by about 10% in 2021 as companies recover financially from the shock of 2020, but their spending remains well below pre-crisis levels. The new report highlights the diverging strategies among different oil and gas companies.

The majors are holding oil and gas spending flat on aggregate in 2021, despite recovering prices.

Meanwhile, some national oil companies are stepping up investment, raising the possibility of increased market share if demand continues to grow. Qatar’s decision to move ahead with the world’s largest 04

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liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion and to include carbon capture technologies in this investment, is a strong signal of its intent to maintain a leadership position in LNG. There are signs in the latest data that spending by some global oil and gas companies is starting to diversify.

IEA analysis last year highlighted that only around 1% of capital spending by the industry was going to clean energy investments. But project tracking to-date in 2021 suggests that this could rise to 4% this year for the industry as a whole, and well above 10% for some of the leading European companies.

The influence of recovery packages and new climate policy measures comes through in expectations of rising expenditure in 2021 on renewable power, electricity grids, energy efficiency (notably in the building sector in Europe), and energing technologies (such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage; and low-carbon hydrogen). The United States may provide further momentum if the infrastructure plan proposed by the administration of President Joe Biden is enacted.

Financial markets are also providing encouraging signs for clean energy investment. Sustainable debt issuance reached a record level in 2020, and renewable power companies have outperformed fossil fuel companies on international equity markets.

But even though spending on clean energy is set to rise in 2021 by around 7%, the report notes that growth in these capital expenditures has lagged changes in financial markets, in part due to a shortage of highquality, clean energy investment opportunities and appropriate channels for allocating capital into projects.

The anticipated USD 750 billion to be spent on clean energy technologies and efficiency in 2021 is encouraging but remains far below what is required to put the energy system on a sustainable path. Clean energy investment would need to triple in the 2020s to put the world on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, thereby keeping the door open for a stabilisation of the rise in global temperatures at 1.5°C. “As set out in detail in our recent Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050, governments need to go beyond making pledges to cut emissions and take concrete steps to accelerate investments in market-ready clean energy solutions and promote innovation in early-stage technologies”, said Dr Birol.

“Clear policy signals from governments would reduce the uncertainties associated with clean energy investments

INDUSTRY NEWS

and provide investors with the long-term visibility they need. Our roadmap shows there are huge opportunities for companies, investors, workers and entire economies on the path to net zero. Governments have the power to unlock these broad-based benefits”, he added.

The gap between today’s investment trends and the needs of climate-driven scenarios is particularly large in emerging market and developing economies. This is emerging as a critical fault line in clean energy transitions in advance of the crucial COP26 meeting in Glasgow later this year, and is the subject of a major new report from IEA on Financing Clean Energy Transitions in Emerging Market and Developing Economies.

As spending rebounds towards pre-crisis levels, not enough is going into clean energy, especially in emerging market and developing economies, the new IEA report finds.

Global electric car market poised for strong growth The global auto industry suffered a punishing year in 2020 because of the major shock of COVID-19, but the electric car market is on track for strong expansion, according to a new report published recently by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The IEA’s Global Electric Vehicle Outlook 2021 finds that despite the pandemic, 3 million new electric cars were registered in 2020 - a 41% increase from the previous year. Further, the sales of electric cars, in the first quarter of 2021, reached nearly two and half times their level in the same period a year earlier. In comparison, the global automobile market contracted 16% in 2020.

iSWITCH ENERGY TO ENTER EV CHARGING MARKET Singapore’s largest green electricity retailer, I Switch Pte Ltd (iSwitch Energy) has signed an agreement with leading Finnish technology company, PlugIT, to acquire 12 electric vehicle charging stations in Singapore, from PlugIT.

a government initiative, iSwitch is well placed to contribute to this movement by deploying thousands of units across its existing electricity retail portfolio of high-quality condominiums and commercial sites.

This signals iSwitch’s entry into the growing local electric vehicle (EV) charging market.

“Convenience, Value and Customer Service have been major cornerstones of iSwitch’s success. iSwitch plans to offer the use of these charging stations to both iSwitch and non iSwitch customers. Existing iSwitch retail customers will receive bonus loyalty points, redeemable against their monthly electricity bill, resulting in a lower charging cost”, Mr Koscharsky added.

Under the terms of the deal, iSwitch will take ownership of up to 12 existing charging stations, as well as offer EV charger installation services to its existing portfolio of over 50 MCSTs, 10 shopping centres, 600 car parks, and 8,000 landed residential properties. iSwitch intends to further cement its green identity by committing to offset 100% of all electricity used for charging, by purchasing United Nations Verified Carbon Units, which would result in a carbon neutral charge for ‘Scope 2’ emissions. This refers to carbon emissions released into the atmosphere as a result of the electricity generated which is used to charge the electric vehicle.

Andrew Koscharsky, Chief Commercial Officer of iSwitch, said, “Inspired by the Singapore Government’s recently announced sustainability targets, we have decided that the timing is right for us to enter a new and exciting phase. To complement our existing green energy products, we will now offer new sustainability products to our 100,000 existing customers and across the entire Singapore energy market”.

With 60,000 charging points expected to be installed across the island by 2030, as part of

As Singapore moves towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient future, iSwitch is also evolving its business and partnering with key stakeholders to provide more green energy solutions for local consumers. This EV charging initiative is expected to broaden iSwitch’s existing suite of sustainable solutions such as carbon neutral green electricity, home batteries and solar panel installation.

iSwitch iSwitch is a licensed electricity retailer in Singapore that currently serves more than 6,000 commercial accounts and over 105,000 residential customers. The company’s experienced team of over 60 employees are all based in Singapore, ensuring a high-quality and local touchpoint. iSwitch was the first electricity retailer to offer 100% carbon neutral electricity to both commercial and residential customers.

Since April 2016, iSwitch has helped offset over 165,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).

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INDUSTRY NEWS

ENGIE AND JTC SIGN AGREEMENT ON AN UNDERGROUND

DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEM ENGIE South East Asia, a global leader in driving sustainable energy innovation, announced recently that it has been appointed by JTC Corporation (JTC) to build, own and operate an underground District Cooling System (DCS) for the Punggol Digital District (PDD), Singapore’s first smart business district that integrates a national university, business park and community facilities.

The agreement was signed by Thomas Baudlot, CEO of ENGIE South East Asia and Tan Boon Khai, CEO of JTC. Under the Design, Build, Own and Operate (DBOO) agreement, ENGIE will develop and construct the DCS plant which will have a cooling capacity of close to 30,000 refrigeration-tons.

Expected to be completed in 2024, the underground plant will be operated by ENGIE for a period of 30 years. The district cooling facility will provide air conditioning in a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective way to the business park, community, retail outlets, and transportation nodes, within the district. It optimises resources, land use and operational efficiency, by allowing individual buildings to avoid operating and maintaining their own air conditioning systems.

“As a global developer and operator of more than 400 district energy schemes worldwide, ENGIE is proud to partner with JTC to build a world-class smart district cooling system that contributes to Singapore’s sustainability agenda. Increasingly, district cooling solutions will play a critical and essential role to help Southeast Asia meet its cooling needs while achieving its sustainability goals. The development and construction of the plant is right at the heart of ENGIE’s vision to enable businesses, partners and governments to make the shift towards carbon-neutrality”, said Thomas Baudlot, Chief Executive Officer, ENGIE South East Asia.

With a 4 km centralised piping network connected to customers in the district, the plant is expected to reduce 3,700 tons of CO2 emissions per year at full development and achieve up to 30% reduction of energy consumption compared to standard commercial buildings. The design phase contract, awarded to ENGIE in 2019, also received the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Award.

Beyond a reduction in carbon emission, the DCS contributes to PDD’s vision of not just being a sustainable mixed-use district, but also being a smart one. The system will be integrated into PDD’s Open Digital Platform where monitoring and machine learning of building usage patterns will be carried out.

“Technology is a key driver in advancing sustainability at Singapore’s first smart business district. The Open Digital Platform at PDD integrates various systems across the 06

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Rendering of Punggol Digital District. Image: JTC.

At the signing ceremony are, from left, Thomas Baudlot, CEO, ENGIE South East Asia and Tan Boon Khai, CEO, JTC Corporation.

district, including the district cooling system. This will allow us to track energy consumption patterns, as well as optimise energy distribution and cost-efficiencies across the entire district. This is an exciting partnership with ENGIE, and we welcome more players to join us”, said David Tan, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Development Group, JTC. In line with Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) urban transformation master plan to optimise land use, key infrastructure for the district cooling system will be laid below ground. By implementing district cooling, more spaces above-ground can be used for green parks and social amenities, and development of renewable energy such as rooftop solar panels.

Moreover, ENGIE will leverage construction innovations such as mechanical pipe couplings for a more efficient and environment-friendly installation, which align with the nation’s push to promote the adoption of sustainable construction materials and practices.

INDUSTRY NEWS

DRIVING NET ZERO EMISSIONS TRANSITION IN ASIAN ELECTRIC UTILITIES A new programme, backed by 13 institutional investors and stewardship service providers, responsible for USD 8.8 trillion in assets under management or advice, has been launched to engage Asia’s systemically important electric utilities on cutting emissions, strengthening disclosure and improving governance of climate-related risks. The new programme is coordinated by the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) and will complement and run in parallel with the global Climate Action 100+ initiative.

Working through the programme, investors will collaboratively engage with five utility companies.

Companies that are the focus of the programme in its first year include China Resources Power Holdings (China), CLP Holdings (Hong Kong), Chubu Electric Power

Co (Japan), Electric Power Development Co (J-POWER) (Japan) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (Malaysia). Focus companies have been chosen because they produce substantial greenhouse gas emissions, have large coalfired power capacity or have a strategic role in driving the net zero emissions transition. Investors commit to engaging with at least one focus company during each year of the initiative as part of a collaborative group.

The common agenda for discussion with companies includes strengthening the board’s accountability of climate risk, action to reduce emissions across the value chain (including coal phase-out consistent with the Paris Agreement goals), enhancing disclosure, identifying physical risks and ensuring companies are supporting policy in line with achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

PUB APPOINTS SP SERVICES TO INSTALL SINGAPORE’S

FIRST 300,000 SMART WATER METERS PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, has appointed SP Group's subsidiary, SP Services Limited (SP), to install some 300,000 smart water meters in Singapore, from early next year. This marks the rollout of the first phase of the Smart Water Meter Programme, a key initiative under the Smart PUB Roadmap which aims to transform the organisation into a smart utility of the future.

This appointment follows an open tender exercise which attracted seven local and foreign tenderers. SP was selected as the company has a strong track record and the necessary technical resource capability to undertake this project, and its network solutions provider, Itron, has the necessary experience, having deployed close to 800,000 smart water meters overseas, in places such as Baltimore and Cleveland, in the US. SP will be responsible for the supply and installation of the 300,000 smart meters, provision of the wireless communications network, developing the supporting IT systems, and providing operations and maintenance for 15 years.

The first phase of the Smart Water Meter Programme will be rolled out at Bukit Batok, Hougang, Jurong West, Tampines and Tuas, as well as in the new housing estates of Tampines North and Tengah. Meter installation is expected to start in early 2022 and be completed in 2023.

In selecting these locations, PUB had considered a range of factors including property mix, efficiency of deployment and the need to replace older conventional water meters. The meters will be installed as part of PUB's meter replacement programme at no cost to customers. Customers will receive notification letters from PUB prior to the installation.

Empowering a generation of ‘water smart’ customers With smart water meters, meter readings will be transmitted digitally and automatically, every day, to PUB. This removes the need for manual reads, currently carried out once every two months, as they are labourintensive. Customers can view and track their daily water consumption through a customer portal paired with the water meter. This empowers them to become smarter users of water, saving water and money in the process.

Through the portal, users can also receive alerts about suspected leaks and high water usage in their household or premises. This will allow them to take prompt action to fix the leaks and reduce water wastage.

PUB's earlier trials of the smart water meters at Punggol and Yuhua, revealed that about 10% of the 800 households experienced leaks, which mostly occurred at the water cisterns. Such leaks often go unnoticed until the customers receive a higher-than-usual water bill at the end of the month.

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The smart water meters are also pivotal in enabling PUB to achieve greater operational efficiencies. With the daily water usage data, PUB will be able to optimise water production and network management by understanding water demand patterns at different times of the day across various zones.

The data collected can also be used to quickly detect and locate potential leaks within the water supply network.

“The Smart Water Meter Programme is an important pillar in PUB’s Smart Roadmap, which outlines our vision to digitalise Singapore's entire water system. With access to near real-time monitoring and data across the water network, this allows us to transform our operations and planning to meet Singapore’s water needs”, said Ridzuan Ismail, Director of Water Supply (Network), PUB. “With increasing water demand and challenges posed by climate change on our water resources, we are also constantly challenged to find more efficient ways to supply water and conserve water, in order to safeguard Singapore's water security. Smart water meters that can provide near real-time water use information will help to change consumer behaviour, and can give a major push to our water conservation efforts”, he added.

PUB will review the first phase rollout, build up its capabilities and expertise, and take into account advances in technology before implementing smart water meters for the rest of Singapore.

SP partners Goldbell SP Group (SP) and Goldbell Group (Goldbell) recently announced an agreement under which SP will provide holistic electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions to Goldbell’s commercial fleet customers.

Goldbell is Singapore’s largest commercial vehicle leasing company, serving more than 10,000 commercial fleet customers to-date,with over 5,000 vehicles in its fleet.

The agreement includes making SP’s nationwide EV charging network available to Goldbell’s customers and installing EV charging infrastructure on customers’ premises where feasible, to support their electrification roadmap. SP’s charging points will similarly be extended to BlueSG users once the acquisition of BlueSG vehicles by Goldbell is completed.

SP and Goldbell will also explore a strategic partnership for the leasing of commercial electric vehicles.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SP GROUP AWARDED BCA GRANT TO POWER NEXT-GEN GREEN BUILDINGS The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has awarded a grant to SP Group (SP) under the Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Programme, to develop and implement technologies and digital solutions to push the limits of buildings’ energy efficiency standards. The GBIC programme is one of the enablers of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan, which in turn supports the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Equipping building operators with smart tools to be energy-efficient Under GBIC funding, SP Group will pilot a dynamic online digital portal and an artificial intelligence (AI) powered mobile application tool to provide real-time electricity and water usage insights to both occupants and building facilities managers. Through the portal, users can keep track of the building’s aggregated water and electricity consumption, and the resulting carbon emissions, to enable them to proactively identify ways to reduce their carbon footprint and utilities usage. The portal will come with advanced data analytics to assist building operators to plan and achieve more efficient building management by providing actionable recommendations on saving energy and an AI-enabled anomaly detection function to prevent energy wastage.

Empowering building occupants to make sustainable choices Building occupants will also be equipped with an ‘At work’ function of the SP Utilities App to encourage them to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. The new function aims to enhance occupants’ sustainability experience by providing them personalised energy data to build awareness and better understand their building’s consumption performance. Occupants will also be encouraged to adopt green behaviour through gamification such as quizzes and energy-saving challenges between occupants, reminders, rewards and tips on saving energy.

Pilot of digital solutions with NUS The National University of Singapore’s (NUS) University Town (UTown) will be the first development to have these digital solutions implemented under this programme. The solutions will be piloted at two buildings at UTown - the Education Resource Centre and the Stephen Riady Centre - and will be installed in the first half of 2022. Both buildings include various categories of spaces, such as offices, teaching rooms, sports facilities and commercial spaces. This will allow SP and BCA to test the solutions in a variety of areas.

Sharing of building energy data in SLEB Smart Hub SP will work together with BCA to incorporate Green Mark data reporting functions into the digital solutions to facilitate the sharing of information between buildings and BCA’s SLEB Smart Hub. The Super Low Energy Building Smart Hub (SLEB Smart Hub) is Singapore’s first digital knowledge centre for green buildings, feature-filled with smart analytic tools, datasets, a directory and the largest green building database in Singapore.

The SLEB Smart Hub will serve as an interface to receive, combine and analyse data from different resources and report the results to the BCA Green Mark certification system. This enables benchmarking of a building’s energy performance against other similar building types, and piloting of green technologies including automatic energy data reporting for data analytics.

Building owners are required to report their energy data to BCA for green building projects funded under the Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) programme.

Mr Stanley Huang, Group Chief Executive Officer of SP, said, “Decarbonisation is a collective effort and we are at the forefront of enabling this paradigm shift through our strengths in integrated smart energy solutions.

Leveraging digitisation and big data analyses, we can enable all building stakeholders to drive positive change at scale. With the support of BCA and building operators, we will develop user-centric solutions to advance nextgen green, energy-efficient buildings, and create green communities that will accelerate a carbon-neutral future for Singapore”.

Mr Kelvin Wong, Chief Executive of BCA, said, “The Green Buildings Innovation Cluster or GBIC Programme has been a cornerstone in furthering the deployment of innovation and technology in improving energy efficiency of buildings in Singapore. With active partnership with the industry, GBIC will be an enabler in meeting one of the outcomes of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan, which is to achieve an 80% improvement in energy efficiency for best-in-class green buildings by 2030. SP Group’s work in developing smart technologies will help building operators and occupants to reduce energy consumption. With buildings accounting for over 20% of Singapore’s emissions, BCA welcomes like-minded firms to partner us to reduce the carbon footprint of the Built Environment, working towards our collective goal of a more sustainable and liveable Singapore”.

The BCA Green Building Innovation Cluster aims to help push the boundaries of buildings’ energy efficiency standards under the Singapore Green Building Masterplan.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION OFFERS NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES IN ASIA-PACIFIC To help companies innovate faster and improve efficiencies during the age of digitalisation, Rockwell Automation is evolving its service and solutions capabilities and launching a new brand - LifecycleIQ Services. Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation.

The new brand represents the expanding ways in which customers can engage with Rockwell Automation technology and highly trained professionals to improve their performance and reimagine what is possible across their industrial value chain.

LifecycleIQ Services provides the transformative partnership that customers need and expect today. By combining digital technologies with expansive human know-how, the services help companies work faster, smarter and with greater agility at every point in their business cycle. The services can help companies realise the power of a Connected Enterprise during the design, operations, and maintenance stages in greenfield and brownfield facilities.

“LifecycleIQ Services creates a more intimate customer engagement model, one that can help companies not only solve problems, but also see new possibilities in production and transform them into reality. We are investing in providing a wide range of holistic services to help companies be more productive, safe and secure anywhere in a product, process or plant lifecycle”, said Frank Kulaszewicz, Senior Vice President, Lifecycle Services at Rockwell Automation “One challenge faced by many industrial players in AsiaPacific is how to adopt smart manufacturing technology quickly whilst seamlessly integrating legacy equipment and machinery. LifeCycleIQ Services helps to address this unmet need holistically, enabling enterprises to be future-ready by incorporating agility and flexibility in both infrastructure and processes”, said Inbavanan Rathinam, Senior Director, Solutions & Services, AsiaPacific at Rockwell Automation.

“Driving efficiencies also continues to be increasingly important to businesses across every sector in the region, with growing attention on sustainable operations. LifeCycleIQ Services enables our customers to better plan and service every aspect of the plant, from design to safe operations, enabling reduced energy usage, minimised wastage and maximised output”, he added.

Industrial companies can use LifecycleIQ Services to achieve outcomes like the following: Capturing more value from digital transformation initiatives Digital initiatives can struggle to get off the ground 10

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because companies do not know what steps to take or where to start. Using the knowledge and experience within LifecycleIQ Services, companies can strategically plan, implement and scale their digital initiatives.

Support can begin with defining strategic objectives, identifying use cases and quantifying business value. Rockwell Automation can then continue to support customers through implementation, ongoing maintenance and continuous innovation.

Reducing risk with comprehensive cybersecurity support Cybersecurity is a top priority today, but few companies have specialists with both information and operations technology (IT/OT) security knowledge. Rockwell Automation is adequately equipped to address complex security challenges in IT/OT environments.

The company understands the OT environment and how it interfaces with IT and follows industry security standards.

LifecycleIQ Services can help companies adopt a proactive cybersecurity approach and address the entire attack continuum - before, during and after an event. Also, as more companies connect their plants to remote workers and partners like original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Rockwell Automation can help protect those connections with secure remote access and security posture assessment services.

Improving workforce support Companies need new ways to support their workforces as they contend with global health challenges and skills shortages brought on by the retirement of trained workers and an influx of new technologies. They also need workforce support as they seek to make the most of IIoT technologies.

LifecycleIQ Services can help companies address their unique workforce challenges and gaps by assessing needs, identifying priorities and creating workforce development programmes. Rockwell Automation also uses remote support capabilities and augmented reality technologies to help companies interact virtually with support engineers and strengthen skills with virtual training, and to provide safety and security services without sending people into plants.

To improve customer experiences, LifecycleIQ Services is also introducing a new way to receive multiple services in one contract. An Integrated Service Agreement allows companies to select a package of offerings to simplify their support needs and have just one number to call to access experts and receive priority service. Companies can get 24x7 technical support and repair services.

INDUSTRY NEWS

JJ-LAPP PARTNERS WITH CLENERGY TO MAKE

SOLAR ENERGY ACCESSIBLE IN ASEAN JJ-LAPP, the cable technology joint-venture of diversified industrial conglomerate, Jebsen and Jessen Group, and LAPP Holding Asia, has expanded its partnership with Clenergy, a globally renowned solar mounting gear provider, for the distribution of Clenergy’s products in countries across Southeast Asia.

The partnership will enable engineering, construction, and procurement companies in ASEAN, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, to access Clenergy’s entire portfolio of products through JJ-LAPP’s extensive regional network.

Electricity demand in Southeast Asia is projected to grow at a rapid rate. To meet the growing electricity consumption and, at the same time, achieve ASEAN’s target to secure 23% of primary energy from modern, sustainable and renewable sources, by 2025, Southeast Asian countries are substantially scaling up their deployment of renewables in the energy sector.

This has resulted in the Southeast Asian region becoming one of the fastest growing solar energy markets, with the share of renewables in the region’s primary energy mix predicted to rise to 37%, by 2040.

The partnership between JJ-LAPP and Clenergy comes at a time when the industry’s confidence in investing in renewables is growing due to the region’s rising population, economic growth and renewable energy capacity development.

“The synergy of Clenergy’s long-standing experience in the solar energy space, backed by the strength of our network and reach within ASEAN, will make sustainable energy practices more accessible and drive the industry forward. This is an exciting time for us as we continue to pursue growth opportunities while developing the solid foundation that we have built throughout the region”, said John Hng, Regional Head of Business Development at JJ-LAPP.

We already see a global shift in investment towards renewables, particularly with solar power in Asia, and we hope this promotes industry participation in green technology”, Mr Hng said.

Daniel Hong, Chief Executive Officer, Clenergy, said, “We are excited to be partnering with a leading brand like JJ-LAPP. With their network, we aim to bring the latest technology in the sector to local projects in the ASEAN region. This partnership will strengthen the solar industry offerings in the region and enable the industry players to benefit from the quality and technical superiority that we have to offer”.

With the cost of generating renewable energy rapidly declining, ASEAN countries have an opportunity to shift towards more sustainable business practices.

Malaysia is already the world’s third-largest producer of photovoltaic (PV) cells, while investment in Thailand’s solar manufacturing industry contributes to the PV output for global markets. Singapore is also focusing on solar PV deployment as a sustainable energy source, and is expected to add 1.2 GW of new power capacity, generated between now and 2030.

Partnerships like that between JJ-LAPP and Clenergy will encourage more companies to go green by offering onestop easy access to products and solutions relating to renewable energy.

JJ-LAPP JJ-LAPP was founded as a joint-venture between Jebsen & Jessen and LAPP Holding Asia, a subsidiary of LAPP Group in Germany, to become a leading cable and connectivity solutions provider in ASEAN. Customers are benefitted by localising German innovation and manufacturing the high-quality products in Indonesia, and complementing this with a suite of products sourced from world-renowned brands.

Mr Hng added that working with Clenergy will augment JJ-LAPP’s existing offering of products and solutions for the renewable energy sector including solar industries, enabling them to offer customers a one-stop solution for all of their product needs.

Across ASEAN, JJ-LAPP has served the building automation, industrial automation, renewable energy, OEM and transportation sectors, with cable and connectivity solutions, since 1980.

Clenergy’s range of solar mounting gear, from its SolarRoof, Ground, Water, and Elevate series, will complement JJ-LAPP’s current suite of offerings such as the LAPP solar cables and connectors, Trina solar panels and Huawei solar inverters, to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in the region.

Clenergy

“The use of renewable energy has not just proven to be beneficial to the environment but has also been seen as a driving factor in aiding the economy’s development.

Clenergy is a high-tech, Sino-Australian enterprise in the global solar PV industry. The company specialises in the development, manufacturing and engineering of solar mounting gear for renewable energy sites.

With its genesis in Australia and footprints across the world, Clenergy has grown from being a boutique solar solutions provider into a well-known renewable energy company.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BENTLEY SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF SPIDA SOFTWARE Bentley Systems Inc, the infrastructure engineering software company, recently announced the acquisition of SPIDA Software, developers of specialised software for the design, analysis, and management of utility pole systems.

Founded in 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, USA, SPIDA offers modelling, simulation, and data management software solutions to electric and communications utilities, and their engineering services providers, in the US and Canada.

The integration of SPIDA within Bentley’s OpenUtilities engineering software and grid digital twin cloud services will help address the challenges of transitioning to new renewable energy sources including for electric vehicle charging, for joint usage of utility poles to support broadband networks’ 5G expansion, and for modernising and hardening the electric grid to maintain reliability and resilience.

Grid digital twins can provide utilities with immersive and engineering-accurate geospatial representations of their transmission and distribution assets, combining intelligent network and structural analysis with as-operated 3D and 4D physical reality. Bentley’s OpenUtilities grid digital twin solutions enable operators and power producers to evaluate grid trade-offs and opportunities, now spanning traditional and renewable sources and energy storage, as they provision services to meet demand. Digital twins advance asset health management by converging IT, OT, and ET (engineering modelling and simulations) to leverage infrastructure IoT data sources and predictive analytics for improved safety, performance and reliability.

Senior Vice President, Asset and Network Performance, Bentley Systems.

“We are very pleased to welcome our new SPIDA colleagues to Bentley Systems and to OpenUtilities, and we look forward to further integrating and globalising SPIDA software, already known as the trusted stalwart for energy distribution engineers in their essential work to improve grid performance and resilience”, he added.

Brett Willitt, President of SPIDA Software, said, “Our vision with SPIDA has always been to provide a complete and open solution for maintaining and improving the health and integrity of our users’ power and communication overhead infrastructure assets. Within the Bentley team, we look forward to accelerating grid digital twin solutions, which leverage our industry domain experience and incorporate SPIDA structural analyses. Existing and future SPIDA users can look forward with confidence to leveraging grid digital twins as they upgrade, modify, expand, and manage their overhead systems”.

With the incorporation of SPIDA, the reach of grid digital twins can now extend to the utility pole networks and structures, which deliver the environmentally vulnerable ‘last mile’ of critical infrastructure for vital energy and communications.

Leading electric utilities including Ameren, EPCOR, Nashville Electric Service (NES), and Southern California Edison (SCE), engineer the effectiveness and resilience of their overhead systems by applying SPIDA’s software. SPIDA’s utility pole solutions include SPIDAcalc for capturing, modelling, and optimising overhead transmission and distribution assets for structural loading; SPIDAsilk to analyse cable sag and tension design for physical and ambient properties for precise wire tension and conductor installation; and SPIDAstudio, a cloud-based platform that centrally tracks and manages the asset health and physical condition of overhead systems.

“As the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources and greater demand created by electric vehicles increasingly stress our grid infrastructure, and for 5G-enabled broadband rollout, grids’ utility poles are ‘priceless’ for sustainably advancing infrastructure”, said Alan Kiraly, 12

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SPIDA digital twin

SPIDACalc utiity and communications asset analysis and management

EVENTS

LEADING TRADE FAIR FOR DEBURRING TECHNOLOGY

AND PRECISION SURFACE FINISHING Preparations are ongoing to stage DeburringEXPO 2021 as a live event at the Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre, Germany, from 12 to 14 October 2021. The booking status promises a successful 4th Leading Trade Fair for Deburring Technology and Precision Surface Finishing, where exhibitors and visitors will once again be able to exchange ideas at face-to-face meetings. Emphasis will be focused on solutions and information which enable companies to effectively and efficiently fulfil stricter as well as changing requirements for deburring and surface finishing quality.

In Germany, investments are picking up again in industrial sectors such as automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical technology, tool and mould making, metalworking and processing, aerospace, and environmental and energy technology.

Adaptive solutions for changing requirements Attention is being focused on solutions with which companies can meet stricter, as well as new requirements for deburring and surface finishing quality.

vice versa) will provide information concerning solutions to current problems covering all exhibition segments. The trade fair programme is thus enhanced with the quality of a further training event which enables visitors to expand their know-how in the fields of deburring, rounding and the production of precision surface finishes, as well as component cleaning. Beyond this, examples based on actual practice and benchmark solutions provide ideas and stimulation for the optimisation of processes.

Collaboration with GrindTec Thanks to the new collaboration between fairXperts and AFAG, promoters of GrindTec, the exhibition portfolio at DeburringEXPO 2021 will be extended for the first time, to cover the issue of ‘grinding technology’ at a collective booth.

More information may be obtained from www.deburring-expo.de.

“Amongst other factors, this requirement arises from stricter specifications for products and their surface finishing, for example due to downstream processes such as joining, coating, sealing and assembly.

Changing production technologies and materials, such as workpieces made of material combinations, also necessitate optimised solutions for deburring, rounding and the production of precision surface finishes, as well as the cleaning of components after these processing steps”, said Hartmut Herdin, Managing Director of fairXperts GmbH & Co KG, organisers of DeburringEXPO. The increasing use of additive manufacturing (AM) in series production is also impacting surface finishing processes. The removal of residual powder and supporting structures, as well as the rough and porous surfaces of additively manufactured components, are challenging. Further increases in efficiency by means of process optimisation, automation and digitalisation are presenting companies with additional challenges.

Innovative solutions in automation technology make it possible to use conventional processes such as barrel finishing for new applications in automated single-part processing. Image: Rösler Oberflächentechnik.

The exhibitors at the 4th leading trade fair for deburring technology and precision surface finishing will showcase appropriate solutions for these tasks. The broad-based offerings will be rounded out with theme parks for ‘Automated Deburring with Industrial Robots’, ‘AM Parts Finishing’ and ‘Cleaning After Deburring’.

The expert forum The integrated three-day expert forum is an established supplement to the exhibition programme at DeburringEXPO, for the promotion of knowledge transfer. Simultaneously interpreted presentations (from German to English and

Stricter demands on surface quality necessitate new automated solutions by means of which deburring results can be achieved in a reproducible and economical manner. Image: Kempf.

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COVER STORY

SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES UNVEILS

BOLD CLIMATE ACTION PLAN The group is committed to the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Woodchip boiler plant in Singapore.

Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) recently unveiled its strategic plan to transform its portfolio from brown to green, with growth driven by its renewables and integrated urban solutions businesses.

In order to support the global energy transition and sustainable development, Sembcorp aims to grow profit contribution from its sustainable solutions portfolio from a current 40% to 70% by 2025. By 2025, its renewable energy portfolio is targeted to achieve a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% and its integrated urban solutions portfolio a CAGR of 10%. Central to the group’s strategy is also its commitment to bold climate action to halve its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and deliver net-zero emissions by 2050.

Wind power generation in China.

A LEADING PROVIDER OF SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Sembcorp’s vision is to be a leading provider of sustainable solutions. By focusing on growing its renewable energy and integrated urban solutions businesses, the group’s transformation plan is underpinned by clear targets.

More sustainable By 2025, Sembcorp aims for its sustainable solutions portfolio to comprise 70% of the group’s net profit. In 2020, its sustainable solutions portfolio contributed around 40% of the group’s net profit.

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Solar installation in India.

Sembcorp has a proven track record across Asia in various segments of the renewables sector.

COVER STORY

More renewables By 2025, Sembcorp aims to quadruple its gross installed renewable energy capacity to 10 GW. In 2020, its gross installed renewable energy capacity (comprising wind, solar and energy storage) was 2.6 GW. More sustainable urban developments By 2025, Sembcorp aims to triple its urban business’ land sales to 500 hectares. In 2020, land sales amounted to 172 hectares.

Lower carbon emissions By 2025, Sembcorp aims to reduce its GHG intensity to 0.40 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per MW hour (tCO2e/MWh) from 0.54 tCO2e/MWh in 2020. In addition, the company aims to halve GHG emissions by 2030 (from a 2010 baseline of 5.4 million tCO2e) and deliver net-zero emissions by 2050. Sembcorp also commits to not investing in new coal-fired energy assets.

In line with its strategic plan, Sembcorp reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its focus will be SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) where it aims to make meaningful contributions.

SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) is a leading energy and urban solutions provider.

Headquartered in Singapore, Sembcorp leverages its sector expertise and global track record to deliver innovative solutions that support energy transition and sustainable development. By focusing on growing its renewables and integrated urban solutions businesses, it aims to transform its portfolio towards a greener future and be a leading provider of sustainable solutions.

Sembcorp has a balanced energy portfolio of over 12,800 MW, with more than 3,300 MW of renewable energy capacity comprising solar, wind and energy storage globally. The company also has a proven track record of transforming raw land into sustainable urban developments, with a project portfolio spanning over 12,000 hectares across Asia.

Sembcorp is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange.

All images by Sembcorp Industries

SEMBCORP GROWS RENEWABLE ENERGY PORTFOLIO In March this year, Sembcorp announced new solar project awards totalling 82 megawatt-peak (MWp).

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Solar Singapore (Sembcorp Solar), the group was awarded a 60 MWp solar energy project by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Since January 2021, the company also won other commercial solar deals totalling 22.3 MWp. This includes a SolarRoof Phase 2 project awarded by JTC Corporation (JTC) to build a 17.4 MWp solar system on the rooftops of 48 JTC buildings, targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of this year. The capacity indicated is based on what the completed solar energy system is expected to achieve.

With these awards, Sembcorp’s portfolio in Singapore grew to 362.3 MWp of solar power capacity in operation and under development. The capacity indicated is equivalent to 302 MW. Sembcorp is now the nation’s leading solar energy provider, managing a full spectrum of solar capabilities across rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar projects.

Together with PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, it is currently developing the 60 MWp floating solar photovoltaic system on Tengeh Reservoir, which will be one of the world’s largest inland floating solar systems when completed in July this year.

For the new project awarded by HDB, Sembcorp will build, own, operate and maintain grid-tied rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 60 MWp across 1,154 HDB blocks and 46 government sites in Singapore. The project will generate enough energy to power about 16,000 four-room HDB flats for a year and offset about 32 kilotonnes of carbon emissions annually - equivalent to taking approximately 7,000 cars off the roads.

This project is part of the SolarNova programme, a Whole-of-Government effort led by HDB and EDB to accelerate the deployment of solar photovoltaic systems in Singapore, under the programme’s new capacity target of 540 MWp on HDB blocks by 2030.

This is Sembcorp’s second SolarNova tender win, with the first being in 2018. Currently, it operates solar energy systems across 618 HDB blocks and 26 government sites.

To support the construction of these announced projects, Sembcorp estimates the addition of more than 400 jobs for Singapore’s solar sector. The company has also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to collaborate on skills development and capability building to grow a trained workforce in solar energy and environmental solutions.

Sembcorp now has over 3,300 MW of renewable energy capacity in operation and under development, comprising solar, wind and energy storage, in China, India, Singapore, the UK and Vietnam.

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15

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

A HOME-GROWN SPECIALIST IN

COOLING TOWER TECHNOLOGIES The company won an Enterprise 50 Award for 2020.

Stolz Engineering Pte Ltd (Stolz Engineering) was honoured as one of winners of the Enterprise 50 Awards (E50 Award) for 2020, in recognition of the company’s enterprising spirit.

Mr Mark Tan, Managing Director, Stolz Engineering, and a former Council Member of IES, believes that engineers Mr Mark Tan make great entrepreneurs because they bring a skillset to the startups, that has been developed over years of managing projects and solving problems.

Commenting on the award, he said, “The E50 Award is a true testament of the years of hard work and contributions from my team alongside the valuable collaboration with our clients and partners, and without which Stolz would not have been able to achieve this pivotal recognition”.

“A key company initiative, that has proven successful over the years, is the continuous training and development of our dedicated team members. I am an advocate of providing equal opportunities and training platforms, because a well-equipped and skilled team will be a team that can manage projects confidently and smoothly to ensure client satisfaction”, Mr Tan added.

“At Stolz, we don’t control quality, we produce quality.

‘Stolz’ is the German word for ‘pride’ which underlines our attitude to work. We strive for pre-eminence in our work standards”, he continued.

The E50 Awards is jointly organised by The Business Times and KPMG in Singapore, and sponsored by OCBC Bank. Supporters of the awards include Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation and Singapore Exchange.

COMPANY HISTORY Stolz Engineering specialises in cooling tower technologies and equipment. The company is backed by an expert team of colleagues focused on delivering high-performance products and services, ranging from standard factory-assembled systems to custom-made solutions for clients.

Stolz Engineering was founded in 2007 by Mr Tan who had previously worked in multinational corporations 16

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(MNCs) for about 10 years, in the design, operation and sales of cooling systems.

CHALLENGING START Soon after its establishment, Stolz Engineering had to face the effects of the global financial crisis of 2008, which included the cancellation of projects. However, the company successfully overcame the obstacles, with strategic decisions on streamlining the business and adapting it to the new realities.

STEADY GROWTH Stolz Engineering has grown steadily over the years.

The company is the official sole distributor, in Singapore, of the well-known Marley cooling towers.

Marley is part of SPX Cooling Technologies Inc, a leading global manufacturer of cooling towers and air-cooled condensers, providing full-service cooling solutions to, and supporting customers in, the power generation, petrochemical, manufacturing, refrigeration, and HVAC markets, for more than 100 years. In turn, SPX Cooling Technologies is part of SPX, a US-based global Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturing company.

Stolz Engineering has provided innovative cooling tower solutions to iconic projects such as Gardens by the Bay, Resorts World Sentosa and Singapore Sports Hub.

FUTURE DIRECTION The company has outlined a few key goals, going forward. They include the following: • Being at the forefront of research and development, in order to provide industries with innovative, superior and cost-effective solutions.

• Continuing to stay ahead of the curve, by embracing the latest trends and cutting-edge technologies, whilst being, at the same time, environmentally sustainable, particularly in terms of water conservation and waste reduction.

• Equipping the existing Stolz team with more specialised skills and training, so that they have the confidence to carry out their work professionally and responsibly.

• Cultivating talent and giving back, by mentoring, coaching and being a resource to budding entrepreneurs of the next generation.

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

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17

CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE

AN ATTRACTIVE PATHWAY TOWARDS

A PURPOSEFUL CAREER IN ENGINEERING ‘The Singapore Engineer’ speaks to Dr Victor Sim, on his career progression and the benefits he has derived from becoming a Chartered Engineer in Singapore.

Dr Sim holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Chemistry) degree with 1st Class Honours, from National University of Singapore, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, from Nanyang Technological University.

Dr Victor Sim

The Chartered Engineer accreditation scheme was initiated by IES. The Singapore Engineer (TSE): Could you provide highlights of your career to-date, including the awards and commendations received?

Dr Victor Sim (VS): It has been a gainful journey for me, applying domain skill sets to real-life projects and excelling in areas to generate new intellectual property.

For example, I was Surbana Jurong’s (SJ) Principal Investigator for the SGD 3.2 million R&D project on big data analytics, artificial intelligence and digitalisation, in the water sector, for both stormwater (flood) management and plant process control.

Both projects have resulted in minimal viable products (MVPs) with commercial applications. It was not easy commercialising R&D on the fly, but correct expectations were important to the overall success.

Strategically, the scope covered more of the development portion and utilised an engineering mindset with an end in mind, and broke down various parts to smaller pieces, whilst also maintaining strict adherence to timelines.

This engineering mindset was similar to the approach I took when overseeing the IES Repositioning Exercise Consultant Study which was carried out during Phase 2 in 2020.

On paper, I had created and delivered new revenue streams with these MVPs and have lifted SJ’s capabilities and placed them, at least, on par with those of global consultants in the areas I have worked on.

Within the SJ Group, I have been consulted on matters where my competencies in the area of water could be applied.

For example, during the circuit breaker, last year, Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) was chosen to be one of the multiple recovery centres for quarantining foreign workers.

The CEC was not built for extended periods of occupation, as it was used for exhibitions, each lasting 18

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021

a few days, such as the Singapore Airshow which is held every two years.

As a recovery centre for quarantined workers, the amount of wastewater generated would be an issue, as it had to be disposed of, every day. A water treatment facility had to be built onsite, in just a few months. With the shortage of available workers, a quickly deployable, plug-and-play solution was envisioned. Drawing on my experience overseas, I found that this decentralised solution presents a good economic opportunity in the ‘new normal’.

Earlier, I had the great opportunity to work under Professor Ng Wun Jern, the previous Executive Director of NEWRI (Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute), who is a well-respected engineer. This was my first experience in a ‘pseudo management’ role. In a short span of time, I built up MECIA capabilities, after inheriting a non-engineering team, and honed my skills in supervision, project management and coordination, that I had picked up earlier in my postgraduate studies.

I also picked up a lot of soft skills when I was at NEWRI Community Development (NEWRIComm). Besides being exposed to the various technical factors governing wasteto-biogas generation, fresh water treatment, wastewater treatment and sanitation works, across ASEAN, Sri Lanka and India, and becoming aware of the need to acquire pure domain knowledge to do this job well, it was also about exhibiting diplomacy at its best.

How does one gain respect, when there is an observable difference in knowledge, culture and societal development, and one has to balance monetary and skill set transfers with financial sustainability, whilst keeping in mind, at the same time, the specific ethical, legal and regulatory requirements of overseas projects?

In the functional role of Deputy Director, I assisted NEWRIComm to win multiple accolades, including the NTU Humanitarian Award 2018, and both the IES

CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE

Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award and the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award, in 2017, for an innovative community development project in Sri Lanka.

allowed me via IES MRA to obtain other internationally recognised engineering accreditations that would not have been possible otherwise, since engineering is a protected profession overseas.

Subsequently, as the leader of a team that put forward a project to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals through engineering, I was conferred the WFEO Young Engineer Award.

The CEng accreditation is a skill set accreditation framework that allowed my competencies to be clearly distinguished from those of my peers.

All these achievements would not have been possible if I had not acquired a sound foundation in engineering design. For this, I am grateful to PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, and to an international engineering firm which had employed me in its Singapore office.

I was trained to address the design considerations and process options for producing drinking water at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks and Woodleigh Waterworks.

I also supported the construction of Singapore’s third seawater desalination plant and the Kranji NEWater Factory Expansion.

Specifically, I specialised in process option trade-offs with disinfection criteria and formation of by-products, equipment life cycle analysis and chemical systems.

These are all very valuable skill sets and project track records that enabled me to obtain my engineering accreditations.

TSE: What is the most meaningful career achievement for you so far, and why?

VS: Getting the Chartered Engineer (CEng) accreditation in Singapore!

When I won the St Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2013, for my essay ‘Courage - Ingrained by nature or nurtured’, thereby qualifying as one of the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ for the St Gallen Symposium, I recall I had just completed my postgraduate studies and was looking around for a job that matched my domain knowledge.

Selfishly, I stated that I was highly educated and had difficulty finding a job. It was like I was over-qualified and my credentials did not seem to match what the industry required.

I was reprimanded by an adviser of the local St Gallen committee, who told me “nobody owes you a living”.

That shook me, as I had kind of ‘lost my way’ in my attempts to secure a better life for my family.

I enjoy the pursuit of science and knowledge, but I had difficulty understanding what the industry wanted or recognised. There needs to be a commonly recognised standard to gauge one’s skill.

While I excelled, and people knew it, I was lost as I did not have a common reference point that others could also access, until I came across the CEng accreditation scheme.

As it turned out, my entire career path took off after I got the CEng accreditation, as people now know I had fulfilled a certain engineering competency and CEng also

With the CEng, it was easier for me to progress professionally and career-wise.

TSE: What motivated you to become a Chartered Engineer?

VS: As highlighted earlier, it is the ability to get my competency recognised not just locally but regionally and internationally, while continuously progressing towards a better standard of life for my family.

TSE: How do you think becoming a Chartered Engineer has assisted you in the progression of your career so far?

VS: It has become easier for me to progress, professionally and career-wise.

Also, there is now greater impetus towards recognising the similarity between the Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Professional Engineer (PE) competencies with, for example, the public sector procurement process requiring either a PE or a CEng to be part of the key manpower deployment.

This is a good step in pushing the value of the CEng. As the critical mass of engineers with the CEng accreditation, increases, graduates in the many engineering disciplines, that are not considered for the Singapore PE accreditation, will have a proper career development pathway, through the CEng recognition.

I view CEng as an IES-initiated career pathway for engineers, with IES emphasising its role as the true voice of the engineering community. Right now, with the entire framework being enlarged to include technicians and technologists as accredited engineers, multiple, ‘illuminated’ pathways are opening up for a better future for engineers. Better late than never!

As part of the repositioning exercise, ‘chartership’ has been identified as one of the four key pillars that IES will be working on, over the next three to five years.

The CEng accreditation will not only strengthen locally, with increasing numbers of accredited engineers, it will also grow in terms of regional and international recognition.

This will definitely help in the future, as long as one stays in this line, and I am very glad to be one of the early movers of this IES-initiated scheme.

TSE: What advice would you give engineers who aspire to obtain the Chartered Engineer accreditation?

Thenot DDI fan is recommended for anywhen facilityyou thatare needs VS: Do start to prepare only ready to significant air movement in large as spaces. apply.

Learn from my mistake, I wasted the first few years ‘appearing lost’.

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CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE

Find out more about the CEng accreditation, study the application form, and start to oversee the type of activities that can get you the accreditation. Plan early and work towards it. Be in-charge of your development.

This is the best advice I can give.

Also, engineering is not just about hardcore skills. Soft skills are also very important to becoming a successful engineer. The CEng accreditation covers them in a couple of important sections.

CEng accreditation is certainly a tried-and-tested pathway towards purposeful careers in engineering-related domains.

TSE: How do you see the road ahead and your own career path?

VS: The pandemic has shocked me personally, as I saw how the areas I thought were innovative became outdated within the last two to three years. Just like

how engineers must continuously upgrade and pursue professional development, it is necessary to recalibrate after ‘the crisis of our generation’.

While I have been looking forward to addressing the challenge of climate change, in the area of water as the ‘new blue life sustaining oil’, especially the effects of both scarcity and overabundance, I have decided to pursue immediately the subject of ‘trust’ and ‘cybersecurity’, as this is an urgent need, with the world slowly emerging from the pandemic and entering the ‘post-COVID normal’ phase.

At the same time, I am very happy to continue contributing to the engineering community in volunteer positions including as an IES CEng assessor, a member of the ESG Start-Up Tech Evaluation Panel, and a member of the ISO/Singapore Standards Water Re-use in Urban Areas Mirror Committee.

THE CHARTERED ENGINEER ACCREDITATION SCHEME

The Chartered Engineer accreditation scheme was launched by IES in September 2013.

The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) launched the Chartered Engineer programme, during the Official Opening of the inaugural World Engineers Summit, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, in September 2013. The programme provides professional recognition to qualified engineers across all sectors.

Aimed at engineers who are in fields that do not require them to be registered as Professional Engineers, the Chartered Engineer title will be an external validation of their experience, expertise and practising competence, and a quality mark to differentiate their professional standing in their respective engineering disciplines.

To qualify for the Chartered Engineer programme, engineers must possess a recognised engineering degree and a minimum of four years of practical experience, maintain continuing professional development and comply with the Chartered Engineers’ Code of Conduct.

Through the Chartered Engineer programme, IES, as the accreditation body, aims to raise engineering standards in Singapore.

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DIGITALISATION

PUSHING PAST THE TIPPING POINT: HOW SINGAPORE IS LEADING THE CHARGE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

by Kumail Rashid, EV Charging Solutions Lead, Asia Pacific, ABB The technologies deployed highlight the economic, social and environmental gains possible.

Global take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) is on track to reach the tipping point of swift mass adoption, with BloombergNEF predicting that more than half of new cars sold in 2040 will be electric. The Asia Pacific Region, in particular, will be a fascinating landscape to watch, with the region expected to see the highest EV growth.

needed peace of mind, accelerating the adoption of personal and commercial EVs in Singapore.

Finding new synergies between EVs and autonomous technology

Mr Kumail Rashid

As the global race to electrify transport heats up, Singapore is charging ahead with its recent announcement of a SGD 30 million investment for EVrelated initiatives. Bolstered by supportive regulations and a bold vision for EVs, the city-state offers an ideal microcosm of the future of EVs and what the path towards mainstream adoption will look like.

Unlocking consumer demand with fast-charging networks Consumer concerns still remain one of the most critical barriers to EV adoption. According to a 2021 Deloitte study, range anxiety (the fear that one’s EV will not have enough charge to reach the destination) was one of the top concerns for consumers in most countries.

Fast-charging stations, which make a quick recharge enroute possible and convenient, will therefore be key to addressing such worries.

To this end, Singapore is scaling up the deployment of fast-charging stations island-wide, setting an ambitious goal of 60,000 EV charging points by 2030. Some recent initiatives include SP Group’s partnership with ABB to build a target of 1,000 DC fast-charging stations across Singapore, or the delivery of 50 kW Terra 54 DC fast-chargers at 10 Shell stations, which will allow consumers to charge their vehicle’s battery from zero to 80% in around 30 minutes.

EV charging solutions have developed rapidly in the past few years, going beyond mere battery charging to offer a seamless and truly integrated transport solution.

Technology has enabled EV chargers to connect to back offices, payment platforms and smart grid systems. To further minimise downtime, some EV chargers also include remote charger status monitoring, diagnostics, repair and over-the-air software updates.

This fast scaling up of infrastructure and technological developments will be key in offering consumers a much

The EV revolution has been developing in tandem with another critical shift in the automotive and transport sector - autonomous vehicles. With self-driving cars and robotaxis still in the nascent stages, we have a huge opportunity to accelerate our transition to zero-emission electric transport by electrifying autonomous vehicles right from the start.

Leading the way in electric autonomous vehicles, Singapore recently launched the world’s first, 12 m, fully electric autonomous bus - a collaboration by the Nanyang Technological University, the Land Transport Authority, and Volvo Buses. Using ABB’s HVC 300P fastcharging system, the 40-seater bus can be recharged quickly in 3 minutes to 6 minutes, at the end of the line, without impacting the normal operation of the route.

With industrial emissions being one of the key polluters in Singapore and across the world, Singapore’s new automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are another exciting development. Electric AGVs, powered by ABB’s smartcharging ports, will be deployed at Singapore’s new Tuas port facility which is expected to be the largest in the world by 2040, with an annual capacity of 65 million containers. A stellar example of the merging of autonomous technology and electric vehicle technology, this is a great stride towards the industrial application of electric AVs.

The ABB DC fast charging stations can recharge EV batteries in about 30 minutes, while offering convenience to users with an experience akin to a fuel station. Over 100 EV charging points were deployed across Singapore in 2020, creating the largest DC charging network in the country.

Image by ABB. THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021

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SPONSORED FEATURE

USING DIFFERENT SIGNAL PATHS

TO MAKE ACCURATE 5G mmWAVE MEASUREMENTS

by Dylan McGrath, Senior Industry Solutions Manager, Keysight Technologies 5G promises dramatic improvements over previous generations of wireless communications technology, particularly in speed, latency, bandwidth, and quality. Most of the gain comes from the utilisation of 5G Frequency Range 2 (FR2) found in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum.

The mmWave spectrum is relatively under-utilised, meaning there is plenty of available bandwidth, and mmWave transmissions are smaller than other wireless communications signals, which makes them ideal for high-speed transmissions in dense urban areas, where many devices operate in close proximity.

However, mmWave's advantages for 5G communications are partially offset by technical challenges. To begin with, mmWave does not propagate very far - the transmissions are easily absorbed by the atmosphere and do not penetrate trees, building walls, and other infrastructure. Accurately measuring the performance of mmWave devices with over-the-air (OTA) test equipment and methodologies is difficult.

The wide bandwidth of mmWave also degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) because the energy from the signal spreads across the bandwidth. Finally, mmWave uses higher-order modulation schemes to improve spectral efficiency, which in turn requires improvements in error vector magnitude (EVM) performance.

Path loss Excessive path loss is among the most vexing and commonly cited challenges to 5G mmWave communications. Path loss between the device under test and the measurement equipment decreases the SNR, making it difficult to make accurate measurements for metrics, such as EVM, adjacent channel power, and spurious emissions.

Compounding the issue, the small size of components and antenna arrays eliminates the possibility of placing probes for conducted tests, necessitating the use of OTA - or radiated - test. The OTA testing

Mr Dylan McGrath

requirement, combined with the excessive signal path loss of mmWave transmissions, requires control and calibration of the radiated environment around the test setup.

Offsetting signal path loss requires flexible signal analyser hardware and software that enable the creation of the optimum solution for a specific signal and measurement. For example, a signal analyser can apply attenuation at higher power levels or a preamplifier at lower power levels to measure a variety of input signals. Signal analysers provide several RF signal paths to lower noise, improve sensitivity, and reduce signal path loss.

Measuring low-level signals (default signal path) By default, in the signal analyser's standard signal path, the input travels through the RF attenuator, preamplifier, and preselector before reaching the mixer. This signal path is ideal for measuring low-level signals that have a bandwidth of less than 45 MHz. Analysing wideband vector signals (microwave preselector bypass path) mmWave wideband signals can be particularly challenging to measure. Bypassing the signal analyser's preselector is a good option when increasing the RF analysis bandwidth to analyse wide-bandwidth vector signals, because it allows wide-bandwidth signals to pass unimpeded through the RF chain. Not only does bypassing the preselector enable wideband analysis, but it also removes the amplitude drift and the preselector's passband ripple, further improving the overall accuracy of the measurement.

SPONSORED FEATURE

Improving modulation analysis (low-noise signal path) The low-noise signal path is well suited for making EVM measurements and other measurements that test transmitter modulation quality at higher power levels.

Since the gain of the amplifier, frequency responses, and insertion loss are compounded at higher frequencies, bypassing the lossy switches in the preamplifier path and the preamplifiers provides the optimal RF signal path. This path reduces path loss and the frequency responses and noise created by the preamplifiers and switches. Choosing this signal path for wideband EVM measurement results at higher frequencies increases measurement sensitivity and improves signal fidelity.

Wideband modulation analysis (full-bypass signal path) A full-bypass signal path reduces path loss, improves signal fidelity, and increases measurement sensitivity. A full-bypass signal path can reduce loss at mmWave frequencies by up to 10 dB compared with the default signal path.

The full-bypass signal path is a combination of the low-noise signal path and the microwave preselector bypass path, avoiding multiple switches in the low-band switch circuitry as well as the microwave preselector. While the advantages of using the full-bypass path are clear, this path has a few drawbacks, including potential in-band imaging and low SNR for testing low-power signals. However, eliminating images in the band of interest by adding a bandpass filter can improve EVM results by 1 to 2 dB. An external preamplifier can also enhance the SNR when testing lowpower signals.

Other considerations Another critical element that impacts the accuracy of 5G mmWave measurements is the input mixer level.

The input mixer-level setting of a signal analyser offers a tradeoff between distortion performance and noise sensitivity. As discussed above, SNR is decreased in 5G mmWave signals due to wideband noise and excess path loss, leading to poor EVM and adjacent power ratio measurements that do not represent the actual performance of the device under test (DUT).

The signal analyser’s input mixer is another tool that can help overcome the challenges of 5G mmWave frequency measurements. The optimum mixer-level setting is dependent on the measurement hardware, input signal characteristics, and specification test requirements. It is also possible to apply an external low-noise amplifier (LNA) to the signal analyser’s front end to optimise the mixer's input level. Some new signal analysers such as Keysight’s N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser include a LNA in the signal path, along with the preamplifier. This allows users to achieve the benefits of using a LNA to optimise the mixer’s input level without requiring external components.

To get the best EVM measurement results, the intermediate frequency (IF) noise of the signal analyser must be low enough that it does not further decrease the SNR. The input signal to the digitiser must be high

enough, yet not too high that it overloads the digitiser.

The optimum balance is a delicate dance that requires a combination of RF attenuator, preamplifier, and IF gain value based on the signal peak level. New signal analysers enable users to optimise these hardware settings at the touch of a button, improving SNR while avoiding digitiser overload. However, manually tweaking settings such as IF gain and RF attenuators is often necessary for the optimum settings, yielding the best measurement results.

Components in the signal path Another critical factor to consider for making accurate 5G mmWave measurements is the impact of components in the path between the signal analyser and the DUT. The components in the signal path can degrade the signal analyser's overall measurement accuracy.

Measurement accuracy becomes even more critical as bandwidths grow wider and frequencies rise into the mmWave spectrum. With smaller margins for error, engineers need to find ways to eliminate frequency response errors, which occur at different frequencies and impact phase and amplitude responses. Signal analysers provide an internal calibration routine to correct their frequency responses.

Cables, connectors, switches, and fixtures in the signal path between the signal analyser and the DUT can degrade measurement accuracy because of frequency response errors. Using different amplitude correction configurations and complex corrections can help remove frequency responses, providing a more accurate picture of the DUT performance.

Signal analysers enable the configuration of both amplitude and complex corrections to correct frequency responses (although a high-performance signal generator or a vector network analyser is required to calibrate the test network).

Using a signal generator in combination with a power meter and sensor to measure amplitude, then inputting the correction values into the signal analyser, is an effective method for making amplitude corrections. New receiver calibrators that are specifically designed for signal analyser receiver measurement systems, such as Keysight’s U9361 RCal receiver calibrators, provide a transfer standard enabling both absolute amplitude and complex magnitude and phase corrections.

Making accurate measurements for 5G at mmWave frequencies The promise of 5G - especially the mmWave FR2 band of 5G - is clear. It provides a step function increase in speed, bandwidth, and performance and will ultimately enable entirely new use cases and business models. But working with mmWave frequencies presents obstacles, particularly in terms of path loss, that make it challenging to make accurate, repeatable measurements. Understanding and utilising the various RF signal path options on your signal analyser can help you overcome these challenges when making 5G mmWave measurements.

DIGITALISATION

NEW SIGNAL ANALYSER ENABLES CUSTOMERS TEST PERFORMANCE OF MILLIMETER-WAVE INNOVATIONS Industries that will benefit include 5G, aerospace and defence, automotive, and satellite communications.

Keysight Technologies Inc, a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions, recently announced the release of the company’s, N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser solution which enables customers to test the performance of millimetrewave (mmWave) innovations in 5G, aerospace and defence, automotive and satellite communications.

The new N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser provides wide analysis bandwidth and a deep dynamic range to help customers solve difficult mmWave challenges, including tight design margins and timelines, complex modulation and stringent standards.

Keysight’s N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser is said to deliver several benefits to customers, such as: • Ensuring designs meet the latest standards with measurement applications and signal analysis software.

• Seeing signals clearly with an unbanded, preselected sweep from 2 Hz to 110 GHz and up to 11 GHz of analysis bandwidth.

• Testing the performance of a 5G new radio (NR) transmitter with an advanced error vector magnitude (EVM).

• Finding out-of-band emissions or spurs quickly in radar designs with superior swept displayed average noise level (DANL).

• Developing high-throughput satellite communication designs with 4 GHz of corrected analysis bandwidth.

Test Application Software To ensure designs meet the latest standards with ready-touse measurement applications for cellular communication, wireless connectivity, and aerospace/defence, the company integrated PathWave X-Series measurement applications with the UXA X-Series signal analyser. These applications simplify complex tasks and deliver repeatable results.

In addition, the 89600 PathWave Vector Signal Analysis software, a comprehensive set of tools for demodulation and vector signal analysis, offers support for more than 75 signal standards and modulation types, and enables customers to explore every facet of a signal and optimise their most advanced designs.

Cellular Communications Testing 5G components and devices, as per the 3GPP 5G New Radio (5G NR) standard Releases 15 and 16, requires a solution with higher accuracy, sensitivity, and bandwidth capability.

The N9042B signal analyser tests the true performance of transmitter designs with EVM and 5G NR signal 24

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The Keysight N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser with the U9361 RCal receiver calibrator and V3050A frequency extender. Image: Keysight Technologies Inc.

analysis software which perform transmitter downlink and uplink measurements easily.

Satellite Communications Today, customers need to characterise amplifiers and components at bandwidths wider than the target application. The N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser provides a wide analysis bandwidth and an unbanded, pre-selected frequency range to help customers characterise the performance of their satellite designs.

The N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser solution enables customers to reach high levels of measurement accuracy with the following: • The innovative Keysight V3050A Signal Analyzer Frequency Extender which delivers measurement accuracy of wideband signals at very high frequencies. It provides high sensitivity, unbanded and pre-selected frequency coverage up to 110 GHz, a high dynamic range and a seamless interface to the N9042B UXA signal analyser.

• Keysight’s RCal receiver calibrator which corrects system path losses and frequency responses up to 5 GHz IF bandwidth, without the need for an external vector network analyser, cabling and manual test-plane characterisation. The palm-sized RCal seamlessly transfers precision factory calibration data to the Keysight X-Series signal analyser over a USB connection, reducing the effort and complexity required to improve measurement accuracy for the test receiver system.

• Keysight's companion VXG microwave signal generator which offers high output power with ultra-low phase noise and wide bandwidth for demanding wireless, as well as aerospace and defence applications. The VXG's dual-channel architecture, quickly switches from blocker and interferer tests to dual channel MIMO and beamforming tests.

DIGITALISATION

HELPING ENGINEERS TO SOLVE CHALLENGES Mr Joe Rickert, Vice President, High-Frequency Measurement CoE and Product Management, Keysight Technologies, elaborates on the advantages of, and the possibilities with, the company’s new signal analyser.

The Singapore Engineer (TSE): What factors drove the development of the new N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser solution?

Joe Rickert (JR): Keysight Technologies is dedicated to providing advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world.

It is clear that enterprises require analysis solutions to test the real performance of their millimeter-wave (mmWave) innovations in 5G, aerospace and defence, automotive, and satellite communications. Our new N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser solution is designed to provide wide analysis bandwidth and a deep dynamic range to help engineers solve their most difficult mmWave challenges, including tight design margins and timelines, complex modulation and stringent standards.

The N9042B signal analyser is capable of performing 5G NR transmitter downlink and uplink measurements as per 3GPP 5G NR standard Release 15 and Release 16 specifications, with one-button simplicity. The incorporated 5G NR signal Mr Joe Rickert analysis software enables engineers to test the true performance of their 5G NR transmitter designs.

TSE: What are the main functions of the new product?

For satellite communications, enterprises and service providers are required to characterise amplifiers and components at bandwidths much wider than the target application. By offering a wide analysis bandwidth and an unbanded, pre-selected frequency range, the N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser helps characterise the performance of satellite designs.

JR: The new N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser helps ensure designs meet the latest standards with ready-to-use measurement applications and signal analysis software. It helps detect signals clearly, with an unbanded, pre-selected sweep, from 2 Hz to 110 GHz and up to 11GHz of analysis bandwidth, as well as out-of-band emissions or spurs in radar designs with superior swept displayed average noise level (DANL).

In addition, the new RCal receiver calibrator enables enterprises and service providers to correct system path losses and frequency responses up to 5 GHz IF bandwidth, without the need for an external vector network analyser, cabling and manual test-plane characterisation.

TSE: Could you comment on the user-friendliness of the product?

Other functions include the ability to develop highthroughput satellite communication designs with 4 GHz of corrected analysis bandwidth, and test the true performance of new radio (NR) transmitters with an advanced error vector magnitude (EVM).

JR: The N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser features powerful software to help customers drive their measurements while the finely-tuned hardware is robust, and with an intuitive, multitouch user interface, the analyser sets a new level of performance for high frequency measurements.

Keysight’s PathWave X-Series measurement applications and the 89600 PathWave Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) software, integrated with the N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser, help simplify complex tasks and provide a comprehensive set of tools for users to explore and analyse signals thoroughly, to advance their latest designs.

TSE: What are its main advantages over existing products?

Frequency options, up to 110 GHz, cover the current 5GNR FR1 and FR2 bands, as well as most radar, EW, and satellite bands. Analysis bandwidth can be configured to 1 GHz, 1.5 GHz, 2 GHz, 4 GHz, and even up to 11 GHz bandwidth using an external digitiser.

The analyser can also be paired with a vector signal generator (VXG), for seamless operation when testing and measuring transmit and receive characteristics for the customer device under test.

JR: At mmWave frequencies, signals are more susceptible to impairments that greatly affect the signal quality, such as IQ modulation errors, phase noise, distortion, signal-to-noise ratio, amplitude, and phase linearity.

A completely new front end provides low-noise performance and a high dynamic range, addressing applications in Tx test, such as EVM and other modulation quality tests - while also excelling at measurements of low-level and unknown signals.

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DIGITALISATION

RISING TRENDS IN THE ADOPTION OF

COLLABORATIVE AUTOMATION

by James McKew, Regional Director Asia-Pacific, Universal Robots Advantages include competitive costs, rapid payback, and ease of deployment.

Mr James McKew

More factories than ever before now rely on robots to help relieve human workers from tedious and dangerous tasks, ensure product quality with repetitive tasks, and improve overall productivity.

In 2020, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) estimated that 2.7 million industrial robots are currently deployed around the globe. The IFR also reported that collaborative robots (cobots) have overtaken traditional robots in terms of growth, growing up to four times faster in 2019.

Leveraging HMLV production In the past decade, the manufacturing sector has seen a considerable shift away from mass production towards high-mix/low-volume (HMLV) production batches.

Hyundae Induction Hardening Heat Treatment (HIHHT), from South Korea, deployed two UR10 cobots in its induction hardening heattreatment process. The UR10 cobots helped free human labour from simple repetitive tasks, allowing flexible labour re-allocations.

Universal Robots (UR) supports this trend towards customised manufacturing by providing manufacturers with versatile collaborative robots that are easy to program, making it easy to accommodate short production runs.

Cobots are versatile and flexible, making them ideally suited to HMLV manufacturing environments. UR cobots can be deployed on a wide variety of applications, including assembly, dispensing, finishing, machine tending, material handling, material removal, quality inspection, and welding.

The UR+ ecosystem builds on this flexibility by providing a range of software and hardware components, from end-of-arm tooling to vision systems and inspection and palletising kits, designed to provide manufacturers with all tools needed to quickly set up a specialised automation project. Additionally, following a risk assessment, cobots can be deployed safely next to human workers without the need for safety cages or fences, which further facilitates quick and easy deployments.

Hyundae Induction Hardening Heat Treatment (HIHHT) from South Korea deployed two UR10 cobots in its HMLV manufacturing facility. As a result, the production failure rate decreased from 0.03% to 0.01% and overall production efficiency increased by 31%. By automating repetitive processes, the company was able to hire two additional employees.

Filling the labour shortages gap Driven by difficulties finding manual labour, automotive component manufacturer Craft and Technik Industries 26

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Craft and Technik Industries (CATI) in India deployed UR cobots for automatic inspection and CNC machine tending tasks.

(CATI) in India deployed UR cobots for automatic inspection and CNC machine tending tasks.

As a result, efficiency at the SME has increased, with production volume going up between 15% and 20%, with zero defects or customer rejections.

“We talk about unemployment all over the country but the truth with the SME sector is that we actually cannot find enough qualified labour. Hence, the best combination for us is incorporating robots in our manufacturing, alongside human workers. Smartly combining the number of machines and robots ensures that the payback period will be faster. The time has come for SMEs to automate - robots are no longer the prerogative of large-scale industries only”, said Mr Prashant Shantaram Umbrani, CEO of CATI.

DIGITALISATION

Low barriers to automation adoption Traditional robots are expensive to purchase and maintain, require extensive safety features including cages and fencing, and require experts for programming, maintenance, and repair. Each of these factors acts as a barrier to automation adoption, particularly for SMEs. Whereas, UR cobots lower these barriers, making it easier than ever to justify the cost of investing in industrial automation.

Cobots cost a fraction of the price of traditional robots and typically provide a return on investment (ROI) in as short as 12 months. Universal Robots has further lowered the financial burden through UR Financial Services, enabling manufacturers to instantly reap the benefits of cobot automation without worrying about cash flow and seasonal fluctuations. This means that companies of any size and budget can get started with cobots quickly and without having to make capital investments in equipment.

Cobots are designed with ease-of-use in mind. This means that the vast majority of operators, having completed a simple online training course, are able to program UR cobots quickly and easily. Cobots eliminate

the costs associated with having to get robot experts to re-program the cobots, while providing the opportunity to upskill existing workers for high-value cobot monitoring and programming tasks.

In factories where space is at a premium, cobots offer a way to implement automation without having to redesign production lines. This is because cobots have a small footprint and can be moved easily to a different part of the factory shop floor as production schedules change, for example, by mounting them on a mobile platform or lifting them using a dolly. Cobots are easy to add to a production line since they can be deployed close to human workers without the need for space-sapping safety cages and fencing (upon risk assessment).

The last two decades have been marked by significant advancements in robotic automation. As the industry moves towards smart factories, how robots are used in manufacturing is changing, as shown, for example, by the emergence of cobots and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial settings. Now, manufacturers of all sizes, from the automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical, medical and consumer products sectors, are adopting robotic automation. Even the farming sector is benefitting from these developments.

ACCELERATED PRODUCTION SETUP TO MAKE COVID-19 VACCINE The BioNTech SE biotechnology company, based in Mainz, Germany, has converted an existing facility in Marburg, also in Germany, in record time, with assistance from Siemens, to make it suitable for the production of the COVID-19 vaccine. The production plant has been producing the active substance since February and the vaccine BNT162b2 (also known as COMIRNATY), since the end of March.

BioNTech acquired a production facility for this in the fall of 2020, that was already equipped with capabilities for producing biotechnological substances. Through collaboration with Siemens and the team of experts on site in Marburg, the project timeline for converting the existing facility to make it suitable for the production of mRNAvaccine was cut, from around one year down to five months, and the implementation of key parts of the new Manufacturing Execution System (MES) was reduced to two and half months. The new system and end-to-end digitalisation of production enable ‘paperless documentation of production’, which can immediately fulfill all documentation requirements.

The entire process flow is controlled using Siemens products. The Opcenter Execution Pharma MES is used to orchestrate subsystems and processes and to analyse their quality. Production processes can be automatically developed, optimised and managed. mRNA processes encompass a number of manual work steps, such as weighing, which can

now be performed by Siemens weighing systems, ensuring precise measurement of weight, which is vital for product quality. All systems were modified for automation using the Simatic PCS 7 process control system, which controls and regulates the system processes. Other products used include network technology, WLAN access points, communication technology and the TIA Portal engineering framework. Siemens supports system implementation for production startup at BioNTech with in-depth service and on-call readiness. Siemens and BioNTech enjoy a long tradition of collaboration and have intensified their cooperation for COVID-19 vaccine production.

The BioNTech SE biotechnology company based in Mainz, Germany, has converted an existing facility for the production of the COVID-19 vaccine in record time, with assistance from Siemens. Image: BioNTech SE 2020.

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CFD SIMULATION

USING A SUPERCOMPUTER

FOR PRODUCT INNOVATION Previously unfeasible simulations can be done much faster.

Hexagon, a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions, has demonstrated how innovation can be accelerated by opening up the possibility of completing complex CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations using the world’s fastest supercomputer, Fugaku, developed jointly by RIKEN and Fujitsu Limited. Such simulations were previously too time-consuming and expensive.

The company’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has shown that the performance of next-generation electric vehicles and aircraft can be explored in greater detail and with many more iterations using the power of simulation. By exploiting cutting-edge semiconductors, manufacturers can analyse all the complexities of reality, with less than half the energy use and at a fraction of the cost of traditional simulation methods.

CFD simulations require significant computational power and resource. Consequently, engineers have to spend many hours simplifying a real product design just so that it can be simulated to make sure it will perform as needed. In some instances, 90% of an engineer’s time can be dedicated to this manual process, and engineers are increasingly being challenged to ‘scale-up’ simulations to manage more elements. As a result, the cost and time to achieve these simulations are prohibitive and engineers can only simulate an approximation of a product.

Now, Hexagon’s Cradle CFD customers will have the opportunity to tap into the power of the ARM-based Fugaku computer architecture to achieve complex simulations quickly and easily. This is made possible through a new partnership which will allow customers to use Cradle CFD software on Fujitsu Limited’s commercially available Supercomputer PRIMEHPC series that utilises the Fugaku technology.

Engineers will now be able to simulate complex designs without having to simplify them, not only saving time but also giving access to significantly enhanced detail. This, in turn, will enable them to explore multiple design options and do so quickly, using simulation more frequently to refine and test their designs and explore new concepts that cannot be explored with physical testing or simulation today. Manufacturers now stand to benefit from this increased speed and detail. Their engineers could also use this type of simulation routinely in their daily work, as the Fugaku architecture uses approximately 28

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a third of the energy of the computers they use currently, reducing cost and improving environmental sustainability.

This development is revolutionary for engineers in a number of sectors, including automotive, aerospace and construction, all of which need the insights provided by large-scale CFD simulation.

This is valuable at a time when the automotive and aerospace industries are racing to bring new forms of mobility and new electrified transport to market.

For example, automotive OEMs are under pressure to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. By saving time on manual processes like meshing, manufacturers can run more simulations to better understand how the aerodynamics of a new model impacts energy efficiency and range, and are able to iterate more between design and engineering, and ultimately achieve the optimal design. Thermal management is also particularly important in electric vehicles, as managing the heat of a vehicle optimises its performance, safety and longevity - all of which are major challenges for the EV market.

Understanding these issues through higher resolution simulations enables engineers to achieve optimal designs and bring models with attractive design and range to market faster.

Hexagon experts collaborated closely with Fujitsu Limited to tune the Cradle CFD code to run on Fugaku and complete test simulations. A typical family car was simulated in its entirety, which is only possible with enhanced computational power. This model comprised 70 million elements using 960 cores and was simulated until steady state using the RANS equation over 1000 cycles.

In aerospace, the impact of turbulence that forms around the wings of an aircraft is of critical importance to how it is controlled and its safety.

Turbulence is the result of many vortices, some of which are so small that it is not feasible to simulate them using current methods. Using Cradle technology with Fugaku’s extra computational resource, engineers can now achieve a higher resolution simulation to enable them to better understand the impact of turbulence on the structural safety of the aircraft and the forces it can withstand. This is important for the development of the next generation of aircraft, including those in the supersonic and hypersonic range, as engineers need to understand the behaviour of shockwaves around the aircraft.

CFD SIMULATION

The team successfully completed a test simulation of transonic compressible fluid around an aeroplane.

Transonic analysis is essential to the design of safe and efficient aircraft, helping engineers understand what happens when the air flows around a wing control surface. The simulation comprised approximately 230 million elements. It used 4,000 nodes (192,000 computing cores) and 48,000 processes via Message Passing Interface (MPI) and four threads via the OpenMP application programming interface.

This research was carried out by receiving the computational resources of the supercomputer Fugaku of RIKEN through the HPCI System Utilization Research Project (Issue No: hp200209, hp200302).

Siemens acquires Nextflow Software Siemens announced recently that it has acquired Nextflow Software, an independent provider of advanced particle-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions. Nextflow Software will become part of Siemens Digital Industries Software, where its offering will expand the Simcenter software portfolio, part of the Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio of software and services, with rapid meshless CFD capabilities to accelerate the analysis of complex transient applications in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries such as gear box lubrication, tank sloshing or electric motor spray cooling.

“Our customers need to leverage sophisticated simulations earlier and more often in their design process, and this is creating a strong demand for rapid and automated CFD of dynamic gas-liquid flows. Meshless technology has emerged as a leading solution to greatly reduce the setup and solving times for this class of problems, accelerating time to results, and prove the behaviour of products at a reduced time and cost”, said Jean-Claude Ercolanelli, Senior Vice President, Simulation and Test Solutions, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

A car can be simulated in its entirety, which is only possible with enhanced computational power.

Siemens Digital Industries Software is already positioned strongly in the CFD market, providing both CAD-centric and high-fidelity solutions across mechanical and electrical design scenarios.

The addition of Nextflow Software’s SmoothParticle Hydrodynamics (SPH) technology into the Simcenter portfolio can enable analysts to leverage the complementary nature of meshless and mesh-based solvers to capitalise on each of their strengths, opening the door to new applications that were previously difficult to address.

“We are very excited to join Siemens and expand the scope of CFD simulation for our customers.

Today, there is no single validation approach that fits all industrial applications. As engineering problems become more complex and design cycles are shortened, analysts must find the optimal trade-off between accuracy and computation time. Nextflow Software’s SPH solutions nicely complement the existing CFD offering in the Simcenter Portfolio to overcome challenges of complexity and long run-times”, said Vincent Perrier, CEO of Nextflow Software.

Using Cradle technology with Fugaku’s extra computational resource, engineers can now achieve a higher resolution simulation to enable them to better understand the impact of turbulence on the structural safety of the aircraft and the forces it can withstand.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Nantes, France, Nextflow Software is a startup company focused on the development of innovative SPH meshless CFD methods. The company has helped move SPH from academic labs to the hands of analysts across industries.

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PROJECT APPLICATION

DEVELOPING EXPERTISE IN SMART OFFICE LIGHTING

THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION The collaboration between one of Asia Pacific’s largest advisory, design and engineering consultancies, and a world leader in lighting, yields positive results.

Beca’s Singapore Digital Innovation Hub (DIH), launched in 2019, is a focal point for applications of emerging digital technologies in advanced manufacturing and smart cities.

Interact Office light management software transformed the hub into an intelligent workplace while advancing Beca’s proficiency in connected lighting systems.

GAINING FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE Established in 1979 and as one of Asia Pacific’s largest advisory, design and engineering consultancies, Singapore-based Beca wanted to sharpen its ability to offer cutting-edge and pragmatic advice in the field of smart buildings, by gaining first-hand experience in the deployment of connected lighting systems.

Their focus was on transforming their DIH into an intelligent workspace integrated with IoT sensors and road-testing technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and other applications. Beca also aimed to collaborate with an industry leader in lighting technologies to co-create smart solutions that effectively address implementation, cybersecurity and privacy challenges.

IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART SOLUTIONS Beca collaborated with Signify and installed its Interact Office software applications and data-enabled services at the DIH. The implementation started with replacing the DIH’s lighting with energy-efficient luminaires and connecting its lighting systems using standard networking and communications technologies to realise cost savings and operational efficiency.

A key feature of the smart lighting system is an integrated chatbot called Charlotte that receives data on room usage from a series of sensors. These sensors are embedded in the lighting system for fast, secure collection and sharing of data with DIH’s existing management systems, using secure, well-defined APIs. Besides optimising usage of meeting rooms throughout the building to reduce energy consumption, the chatbot also maximises space usage and provides employees with a simple and fast way to book a room.

With the support of ICT service provider, Getronics, the chatbot was trained to communicate with the lighting and meeting room management systems to deliver an 30

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The smart lighting system collects data through sensors in the LED lights to provide insights on the use of space and lighting.

efficient user interface (UI) for users. With this UI, users can easily communicate with the building infrastructure using any standard messaging application on their smartphones, with complete security and authentication.

Valuable practical knowledge was gained in the process of deploying the chatbot - it was trained to understand human speak and overcome privacy issues encountered in the analysis of the employees’ room-booking habits via their emails.

This chatbot integration realised Beca’s goal to coinnovate with Signify and create smart solutions for connected lighting systems.

RESULTS FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION Overall, Interact Office has transformed the DIH into an intelligent building and brought Beca another step forward as a value-adding consultancy.

Key outcomes of the Interact Office deployment include: Security and privacy insights The implementation enabled the Beca team to understand issues in cybersecurity and privacy that could arise when deploying smart building solutions.

Space management By collecting data on meeting room usage over the smart lighting system, Interact optimises room usage.

Enhanced user experience DIH employees can now interact with and control the building's lighting infrastructure, with their phones, as well as gather insights into lighting usage via an intuitive deshboard, and optimise operations remotely.

Beca has, since, designed smart lighting solutions in more than 50,000 m2 of commercial space.

PROJECT APPLICATION

DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN Digital solutions help to increase energy efficiency.

AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, recently announced that Henkel, a global consumer goods and industrial chemicals manufacturer with a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, has implemented AVEVA digital solutions to help accelerate sustainability within its supply chain.

By integrating AVEVA System Platform, AVEVA Historian and AVEVA Manufacturing Execution System, Henkel is monitoring and minimising energy consumption, having saved EUR 8 million year-on-year in 2020, and is working towards its target of becoming three times more energyefficient by 2030.

With sustainability at the heart of its strategy, Henkel’s Laundry & Home Care business unit wanted to reduce energy consumption and align with ISO 50001 Standards at all its production sites. Using AVEVA software installed by EMP Etteplan GmbH, the team was able to successfully optimise collection, use and communication of energy consumption and emissions data across its supply chain. As a result, the team has improved supplychain resource efficiency of on-site production by 5% to 6% annually.

“When we started implementing AVEVA digital solutions in 2013, we were already achieving a 3% year-on-year energy saving on every ton of product produced. By the time we had completed the implementation, we were seeing a clear increase in energy efficiency. For example, AVEVA-based Environmental Management System (EMS) has reduced Henkel’s energy consumption (kWh/t) year-on-year by up to 16% in 2020 against a business-asusual operation. To put this into perspective, the energy saved is equivalent to the capacity needed to support the three million inhabitants of two European capital cities, Amsterdam and Vienna”, said Mr Wolfgang Weber, Corporate Director, Digital Transformation & Engineering Laundry & Home Care, Henkel.

Using technology to deliver sustainable outcomes AVEVA’s flexible solution enabled Henkel’s Laundry & Home Care business unit to address all the information system architecture requirements needed to realise these emissions savings. The project took less than 18 months to start delivering audited benefits and included the energy monitoring solution using AVEVA System Platform and AVEVA Historian.

“With many organisations today focused on driving sustainable business practices, AVEVA has made positive strides towards this universal call to action, by

Digital solutions from AVEVA are helping Henkel to increase energy efficiency and accelerate sustainability within its supply chain.

developing technology solutions that are contributing towards effectively reducing industrial organisations’ environmental footprints. Digital technologies play a vital role in realising sustainable ambitions and AVEVA is primed to support our customers globally in taking charge of their sustainability objectives”, said Ms Kim Custeau, Senior Vice President APM and MES, AVEVA. “Our offerings are enabling our customers to integrate legacy solutions seamlessly, providing advanced analytics that drive sustainable decision-making through actionable insights. Our aim is to continue to work with world leaders like Henkel, where our business goals are technologically advanced and aligned to support the global sustainability agenda”, Ms Custeau added.

“In terms of our vision for the future, AVEVA software will continue to provide the technology that Henkel Laundry & Home Care needs to achieve its goals.

Sustainability and efficient use of resources are firmly anchored in Henkel’s corporate values - and this is not something recent. We were one of the first companies to start publishing an annual sustainability report 30 years ago and today we have our sights set firmly on our long-term sustainability goals and are proud that our commitment has recently been recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) designating several of our factories as sustainability lighthouses”, said Dr Dirk Holbach, Corporate Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Laundry & Home Care, Henkel.

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SUSTAINABILITY

INNOVATIVE CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGIES A new report provides an overview of the different methods that are currently deployed and those that are being developed.

Carbon capture technology may be essential for the world to stay within the 2°C warming target outlined by the Paris Agreement. Although the deployment of this technology has begun to pick up in recent years, it is still a long way from the levels of scale-up needed to have a meaningful impact on climate change. Current technology for stripping CO2 from industrial gas streams or directly from the atmosphere remains costly and energy-intensive, and existing carbon capture facilities have struggled with downtime, keeping to CO2 capture targets, and managing costs.

In this climate, there are significant research efforts aiming to boost the effectiveness of CO2 capturing technology and facilitate deployment of what could be a vital technology in the fight against climate change.

SOLVENT-BASED CAPTURE METHODS

solvents for carbon capture, offering high chemical reactivity, favorable kinetics, and acceptable stability.

However, there are also several drawbacks, including high energy consumption during solvent regeneration; corrosiveness, meaning that inhibitors and resistant materials are required; difficulties in scaling up to the level of thousands of tonnes of CO2 capture per day; and degradation in the presence of O2, SOx and other impurities such as particles, HCl, HF, and Hg.

Almost all large-scale carbon capture facilities currently in operation use solvent-based capture methods, where the CO2-containing gas stream is exposed to a liquid medium that absorbs the CO2 by either a chemical or physical mechanism. The absorption liquid is then regenerated using high temperatures or reduced pressures to break the absorbent-CO2 bond, yielding a pure stream of CO2 that can be further processed. Although solvents can capture high levels of CO2, regeneration can be extremely energy-intensive, particularly for chemical sorbents, making the CO2 capture process uneconomical and reducing the sustainability of the process.

Research is focusing on overcoming these issues, with companies developing proprietary amine-based solvents for next-generation carbon capture projects, such as the KS-1 Solvent developed by Mitsubishi, used in the Petra Nova facility in Texas, and Shell Global’s CanSolv Solvent which is used in the Boundary Dam CCS project in Canada. Options include sterically-hindered amines that form weaker bonds with CO2 during the reaction, facilitating solvent regeneration, non-amine solvents that can offer novel chemical trapping mechanisms, and blends of amines and/or non-amines that can optimise CO2 capture for a given situation.

The use of chemical absorption solvents

The use of physical absorption solvents

‘Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) 20212040’ is a new report from IDTechEx, that provides a comprehensive evaluation of technology development within the field of carbon capture, including identification of the key drivers and restraints to success in the industry.

Chemical absorption solvents are the most mature method of capturing CO2, with most carbon capture facilities currently relying on them. Chemical absorption is based on a reaction between CO2 and the solvent, leading to weak chemical bonds being formed. Chemical absorption solvents are generally more selective for CO2 than physical absorption solvents and are effective even at low partial pressures of CO2, enabling high levels of absorption.

Most chemical absorption solvents are based on amines, with amines having been used for CO2 removal in gas treatment industrially since the 1950s. Primary alkanolamines such as MEA and DGA are the most widely used 32

Basic overview of a solvent-based CO2 capture process. Image: IDTechEx

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Physical absorption solvents selectively capture CO2 when in contact with a gas stream, without a chemical reaction occurring. Compared with chemical absorption, physical absorption solvent regeneration is relatively easy and does not require elevated temperatures, although physical absorption solvents are often less selective than chemical absorption solvents and can be ineffective at low CO2 partial pressures.

Unlike chemical absorption solvents, physical absorption solvents utilise a range of different compounds, with each solvent being suited to a specific use case. For example, the Rectisol process, licensed by Lurgi AG, an affiliated

SUSTAINABILITY

company of Air Liquide, uses chilled methanol as a solvent and can be applied for low and moderate CO2 concentrated gas streams. Due to the high vapour pressure of the solvent, the absorption stage must be carried out at very low temperatures to reduce solvent losses.

Research is now focusing on developing physical solvents with high thermal stability, improved selectivity, low vapour pressures, and low flammability and toxicity.

Promising avenues include fluorinated solvents and ionic liquids, however, both face challenges with high viscosities and production costs.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS Although liquid amine scrubbing technology (i.e. chemical solvent-based capture) will likely dominate carbon capture for the next few years, there is much interest in alternative methods for CO2 capture, although it remains predominantly at the academic research level. Promising options include solid sorbent-based CO2 capture and membrane-based CO2 separation, although there is a range of other emerging techniques, such as cryogenic separation, electrochemical membranes, and additive manufacturing of novel system components and materials.

Solid sorbent-based CO2 capture

Solid sorbents for CO2 capture include a range of porous, solid-phase materials including mesoporous silicas, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Solid sorbents could potentially offer several benefits over solvent-based capture methods. Unlike amine-based solvents, solid sorbents generally do not form chemical bonds with CO2, reducing the energy needed for sorbent regeneration. Additionally, solid sorbents can offer greater CO2 selectivities and improved stability compared with solvent-based capture.

However, there are also several disadvantages. Manufacturing costs are likely to be much higher than for simple amines. There are also significant engineering challenges to overcome - many solid-based sorbents have only been tested at the lab scale under ideal conditions, meaning that much R&D is still needed before solid sorbents can become commonplace in commercial-scale carbon capture projects.

Svante is one of the few companies developing commercial-scale solid sorbent-based capture technology. The company’s technology captures CO2 from flue gas, concentrates it, then releases it for storage or utilisation, with the process taking only 60 seconds. The company uses nanoscale solid adsorbents with extremely large surface areas to maximise CO2 absorption, which it claims results in a greater absorption capacity than would be possible using solvents. Although the technology is still in its early stages, having been demonstrated in a 30 tonne/day pilot facility in Saskatchewan, Canada, many in the industry are optimistic about its potential. Svante has raised over USD 75 million in funding and is engaging in partnerships with several companies across the carbon capture space, including Chevron Technology Ventures, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, Climeworks, and Opus-12.

Membrane-based CO2 separation

Membranes are also a potentially promising option for carbon capture. Because they are passive, relying on diffusion of CO2, do not use chemicals or moving parts, and do not require regeneration steps, membranes may result in significantly lower operating costs for CO2 capture compared with solvent or sorbent-based methods.

The Polaris membrane, developed by Membrane Technology and Research Inc, in collaboration with the US Department of Energy, is the first commercial membrane developed specifically for CO2 capture applications.

However, there are many challenges associated with membrane separation for CO2 capture and few companies are actively using it in large-scale facilities or pilots.

These challenges include trade-offs between gas permeance and selectivity, and stability issues in the presence of acid gases.

Membranes are also prone to fouling, reducing efficacy with time. The low partial pressures of CO2 in most waste gas streams also present a challenge. Before membranes can be commercially successful in CO2 capture, innovation in process design and membrane materials is required.

Nevertheless, if a successful membrane technology could be developed, it would drastically reduce carbon capture costs and could significantly propel carbon capture deployment across the world.

Other novel approaches

Beyond solvents, solid sorbents, and passive membranes, companies and researchers around the world are working to develop novel methods of capturing CO2 that can overcome the limitations of the more established technologies. SES Innovation is developing what it calls ‘Cryogenic Carbon Capture’, where gas streams are cooled to temperatures below -140°C, causing the CO2 to desublimate, forming a solid, which is then separated, gasified, and pressurised for utilisation or storage. SES Innovation claims this method can achieve up to 99% CO2 capture at a much lower cost than the conventional methods.

FuellCell Energy is attempting to develop fuel cell technology specifically for carbon capture, using electrochemical membranes to separate CO2 from industrial waste gas streams. Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are even investigating the use of additive manufacturing in carbon capture, developing creative heat exchangers and mass-exchanging contactors for efficient carbon capture.

SUMMARY Overall, innovation in carbon capture technology may be critical in ensuring the commercial viability of the technology, helping it overcome several of the barriers to widespread deployment. Although amine-based solvent capture methods are likely to remain the dominant choice over the next few years, a growing number of companies are innovating in the space of carbon capture technology and developing a range of creative solutions for tackling the issue of CO2 emissions.

(More information may be obtained from www.IDTechEx.com) THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021

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SUSTAINABILITY

THE ROAD TO

GREENER HYDROGEN

by Mats W Lundberg, Head of Sustainability, Sandvik A look at the existing scenario and future possibilities.

Whether hydrogen fuel holds the key to delivering widespread renewable power is subject to heavy debate.

What cannot be argued is the sheer investment that backers are putting into the energy source - as much as EUR 470 billion by 2050. When sceptics protest hydrogen’s potential, as both an effective and eco-friendly fuel source, it is important that they see the bigger picture.

Currently, around 96% of hydrogen is generated from fossil fuels. The gas is predominantly produced by reforming methane, which creates carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon capture and storage can make this production method more sustainable, but that is also under development.

Concentrating on where hydrogen is right now could make anyone uncertain about its future. So instead, let us consider where hydrogen could be, and what it will take to get there.

Different types of hydrogen Hydrogen produced using fossil fuels is just one type of hydrogen - the grey variety. The types of hydrogen refer to the different ways it can be produced. Blue hydrogen is also made using fossil fuels, but carbon capture technologies at hydrogen plants prevent CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

The third type, green hydrogen, is the end-goal for hydrogen producers, as it produces zero carbon emissions.

This is because it is produced through electrolysis that is powered by renewable resources like offshore wind.

While this produces CO2, it does not add any new carbon into the biosphere, and could be combined with carbon capture and storage.

Currently, producing grey hydrogen is the cheapest option and estimated costs are around EUR 1.5/kg for countries in the European Union (EU). However, there are drawbacks to grey hydrogen’s lower rate as CO2 emissions carry an increasing cost, making the cost-efficiency of grey hydrogen unsustainable.

A scale-up of electrolysis could boost the feasibility of green hydrogen, increasing both its availability and cost-efficiency.

Countries across the globe are focusing on green hydrogen production.

The bigger picture Another reason why sceptics may underestimate hydrogen is because they do not realise its full potential.

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Mr Mats W Lundberg

Hydrogen could certainly replace gas to fuel our vehicles and heat our homes - but those applications are drops in an ocean of possibility.

When green hydrogen takes off, it could decarbonise industries that already rely on hydrogen. Today, around 70 million tonnes of hydrogen are produced globally and used across sectors including petrochemicals, solar panels and glass manufacturing. Selling green hydrogen into these industries, especially as its cost reduces, would automatically make them more sustainable without needing to change one of their core raw materials.

Powering the future Green hydrogen will be critical for difficult-to-decarbonise industries, like cement, steel and glass production.

For heating and powering buildings and industry, hydrogen can make use of existing assets. In particular for buildings, low concentrations of green hydrogen could be blended into public natural gas networks without any infrastructure upgrades.

Most renewables have low operating costs and they have to be ‘always on’ to be efficient, regardless of electricity demand. This means that wind turbine blades will keep turning, even if the grid does not require their energy. In fact, many countries experience days where electricity prices reach negative levels due to a surplus in wind and solar supply.

The surplus of renewable energy can be used to power electrolysis, thus making use of otherwise wasted renewable energy and enabling renewable operators to profit from energy that would have been lost.

The infrastructure to build this hydrogen economy is already out there, although some investment into existing assets will still be required.

The role of materials specialists Stainless steel alloy tubes, like those that can be provided by Sandvik, as part of our Mobile Services Solution, can be used to transport hydrogen from storage tanks to dispensers. The mobile service, which provides a full tubing solution in a container, is already helping one energy supplier to install several hydrogen stations using a simpler, modular method.

(More information on Sandvik’s materials expertise for creating hydrogen solutions may be obtained from https://www.home.sandvik/en/)

PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

REC GROUP LAUNCHES FOURTH GENERATION

OF THE TWINPEAK SOLAR PANEL REC Group, an international solar energy company, headquartered in Norway, has announced the launch of the REC TwinPeak 4 Series, the fourth generation of its awardwinning premium solar panels for residential and commercial rooftop installations.

The latest REC TwinPeak features a new cell structure design and higher power output than its predecessor.

The REC TwinPeak 4 Series went into production in May 2021 with deliveries estimated to start from July/August onwards.

The new REC TwinPeak The REC TwinPeak 4.

4 improves on the strengths that have made the TwinPeak family a success, including REC’s pioneering Twin Design, which has won multiple awards since its introduction back in 2014.

Available in both white and black backsheet variants, the REC TwinPeak 4 Series features a newly designed cell structure, multi-busbar connection, as well as improved nominal power output of up to 375 watt-peak from its 120 half-cut monocrystalline p-type cells.

With the same 30 mm frame and support bars already proven in the REC N-Peak and REC Alpha solar panels, the latest REC TwinPeak can now withstand higher loads of +7000 Pa, enabling it to offer best-in-class performance in tough rooftop conditions.

“The REC TwinPeak 4 marks the latest advancement in technology and performance for our TwinPeak family, and strengthens the entire REC Group portfolio by giving more options to our rooftop customers, be it in the residential or commercial and industrial segments”, said Cemil Seber, Vice President Global Marketing & Product Management at REC Group.

Launched in 2014, the first REC TwinPeak generation was the first product to feature REC’s patented split cell and junction box technology. It won the prestigious Intersolar Award 2015. Each successive generation has been an improvement, thereby adding to the popularity of the REC TwinPeak solar panels.

The next generation of REC Alpha solar panels announced REC Group has announced the development of the new REC Alpha Pure Black solar panel. With lead-free production and a substantial gain in power output, the new panel marks a major advancement of the multiple award-winning REC Alpha launched in 2019. The REC Alpha Pure Black will start production in June 2021 at REC’s fully automated manufacturing facility in Singapore, with first deliveries expected in July.

With one of the world’s most advanced cell technologies, half-cut heterojunction cells in a gapless layout, the REC Alpha Pure Black delivers up to 405 Wp. At 219 W/m2, the panel offers one of the highest power densities on the market, helping homeowners and businesses benefit from optimum use of space and even higher savings on energy bills. The REC Alpha Pure Black is based on REC’s Twin Design and the patented split cell and junction box technology that has already been proven in REC solar panels, including the original Alpha Series.

The new REC Alpha Pure Black Series is eligible for the premium REC ProTrust warranty package, which offers up to 25 years coverage on product, performance and labour (subject to conditions), with guaranteed power of at least 92% in Year 25 of operation. Thanks to a temperature coefficient of -0.26 %/°C, the REC Alpha Pure Black offers good performance in both mild and hot conditions.

A strong frame gives extra protection against extreme weather events and allows the REC Alpha to withstand snow loads of 7000 Pa. The REC Alpha Pure Black Series marks an important advancement in sustainability. REC has eliminated lead from all panel components, including cell connections, cross connectors and junction box soldering. This means the panel meets the European RoHS regulation.

The REC TwinPeak 4 Series is eligible for the comprehensive REC ProTrust warranty package, including a 25-year warranty on the product, performance and labour, subject to conditions. In addition, the new solar panel comes with an improved power warranty of just 2% maximum power degradation in the first year of operation and 0.5% per year thereafter until Year 25, making the REC TwinPeak 4 Series an even more attractive choice.

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PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

SIEMENS LAUNCHES FAST CHARGING DC ELECTRIC CHARGERS IN ASIA PACIFIC Siemens has launched SICHARGE D, a public, fastcharging and high-powered, compact, electric vehicle charger (IEC standard), providing what the company says is one of the highest peak efficiencies on the market. It has scalable charging power and dynamic power sharing.

It is suited for highway and urban charging stations, city parking as well as shopping malls.

“Public fast charging networks are an essential factor in driving a sustainable future in e-mobility in Asia Pacific.

By ensuring that charging is as effortless and as fast as people need it to be, we are making electric vehicles a viable option for more people. In addition, the SICHARGE D’s upgradeable and scalable fast charging technologies allow e-charging service providers and electric vehicle users to expand their investments step-by-step”, said Siddhant Gupta, Head of Future Grid for Siemens in Asia Pacific.

Featuring advanced technology, this smart charger won the iF DESIGN Award 2021 in the categories of User Interface (UI) and Service Design. For an improved user experience, an integrated 24-inch adjustable display allows SICHARGE D to be operated barrier-free and opens new opportunities for customers to use this flexible screen for tasks beyond interfacing with the charging process, such as digital menu boards, information kiosks or outdoor advertising.

The sleek and compact SICHARGE D has scalable charging power, from 160 kW up to 300 kW, either from the start or through plug-and-play upgrades.

Furthermore, the charger supports voltages between 150 V and 1,000 V, and currents of up to 1,000 A across all DC outlets. This enables full power loads for future vehicles as well as the lower voltage charging rates demanded by today’s mainstream vehicles. Additionally, SICHARGE D can be configured with either a CCS2 (Combined Charging System) or a CHAdeMO connector cable with varying capacities of up to 400 A or a 500 A liquid-cooled system.

With a constant efficiency of above 95.5% and a peak efficiency of 96%, the new SICHARGE D ensures that almost all the generated electricity reaches the car to be charged. For charging service providers and electric vehicle users, this means reduced operational costs. In addition, the charger allows an easy upgrade of charging power to meet future technological developments: Even if the charging capacities of most electric vehicles are still limited today, they will be able to accept higher charging power in the future and demand higher voltage ranges.

Although the number of electric vehicles is growing, today's investments in infrastructure are challenging.

With SICHARGE D, charging service providers and electric vehicle users will be able to time their investments 36

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according to market demands as the option to expand the charger with up to two external dispensers to charge up to five cars in parallel will be possible in the future.

The standard configuration will have two DC outlets and one AC outlet housed in a compact design to optimise parking spaces.

The new charger combines all these features with dynamic parallel charging. That means, it accounts for the individual power demand of each connected car and automatically adapts the charging process to the electric vehicle's battery technology and charging status.

This optimises charging time as the connected cars get the maximum power they need without any additional manual intervention.

To ensure maximum uptime and highest availability of the charger, digital connected services are included in individual service contracts with customers. These services range from preventive and corrective maintenance, remote firmware updates, spare parts support, as well as consulting and training.

The SICHARGE D vehicle charger has a compact design.

The fast charging SICHARGE D helps to make electric vehicles a viable option for more people.

PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

ACHIEVING ENERGY AND COST SAVINGS WITH OPTIMISED EFFICIENCY Pumps account for a large portion of the electricity consumed especially in the industrial and commercial sectors.

Grundfos, a leading international manufacturer of pumps and pump equipment, has several decades of experience in building electronic controlled pumps (E-pumps). The company has been manufacturing its own motors with integrated frequency converters with energy-saving and speed control functionality, for domestic, commercial, and industrial pump applications.

Grundfos’ E-pumps with integrated frequency converter are designed with total control, customer convenience, and environmental sustainability, in mind. Grundfos’ MGE E-motors exceeds the IE5 requirements.

High efficiency E-pumps with IE5 motors contribute substantially to energy savings and reduced CO2 footprint.

Further, the in-built application control in MGE E-Motors also optimises the performance and efficiency of the entire system.

These permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) are designed especially for frequency converter operations and optimised for pump applications and high part-load efficiency. The motor PMSM also has a built-in frequency converter that enables variable-speed operation with benefits in pump applications, ranging from energy savings, process control, extra functionalities, built-in motor protection, higher performance and more compact pumps, reduced water hammer due to long ramp times and low starting currents.

This results in lower energy and lifecycle costs. Adjusting the speed of the pump, based on demand, rather than throttling the system flow with a valve, also results in the elimination of excess pressure that causes stress in the system and noise in the valve due to cavitation, and reduced power consumption due to lower pump speed.

Recent installations Grundfos’ E-Motors and iSOLUTIONS have helped many customers from around the world to conserve water and energy, and thereby reduce their costs and carbon emissios At Grant’s distilleries in the UK, Grundfos replaced the fixed-speed CR pumps for boiler feed on four steam boilers with a steam capacity from 12.5 tons to 30 tons and with a steam pressure of 10 bar, with Grundfos iSOLUTIONS CRIE15-8 pumps with MGE motors.

The modulating valve from the boiler was also removed.

The CRIE pump controls the level in the steam boilers, with the speed going up and down, depending on demand.

At the same time, the Grundfos pumps use built-in functions in the drive, specifically, limit-exceed and signal relay output, to control a bypass valve to secure flow through the economiser when the burner is running but the boiler is not calling for water. All control is handled by the drive at exactly the right time to ensure a safe and efficient boiler operation and reduce complexity. The outcome has been a 40% energy saving on one pump alone, which equates to about 5.000 GBP a year. On top of that a 6 % saving on the gas usage for the boiler is achieved, as a result of the more stable level control.

Grundfos’ E-Pump and E-Motor

Grundfos’ MGE E-Motors are currently utilised in a wide range of its pumps.

Optimising the entire system Grundfos iSOLUTIONS brings intelligence to pump systems and water technology, with solutions that look beyond individual components and optimise the entire system.

Grundfos iSOLUTIONS utilises intelligent pumps, cloud connectivity and digital services. Together, they enable real-time monitoring, remote control, fault prediction and system optimisation, to enhance performance. They allow easy integration of pumps, drives, measurement, controls, protections, and communication, saving on valuable engineering, installation and commissioning time.

Grundfos’ E-Motors and iSOLUTIONS have helped Grant’s distilleries in the UK to reduce energy consumption and gas usage.

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PRODUCTS & SOLUTIONS

DE NORA LAUNCHES

ON-SITE CHLORINE GENERATION SYSTEM De Nora, a leader in electrochemistry and water disinfection and filtration, has announced the launch of the CECHLO-MS 200, a high-strength on-site chlorine generation system aimed at tackling water and sewage treatment challenges.

The new and improved CECHLO-MS 200

The CECHLO-MS 200 system uses proven ion exchange membrane (IEM) technology to produce a powerful chlorine-based solution, from salt and water, with the help of electricity.

At the heart of the CECHLO-MS 200 system is the efficient, proprietary Ion Exchange Membrane (IEM) electrolyser which has been continuously optimised through innovative upgrades, powered by proprietary De Nora DSA electrodes.

The system ensures on-time, on-demand supply of chlorine on site, improving safety, mitigating concerns on storage, securing availability and minimising life cycle cost.

“The CECHLO-MS 200 is the latest generator in the De Nora CECHLO-MS systems product family, Unlike other solutions available in the market, the CECHLO-MS 200 system offers unique advantages thanks to its optimised and standardised design - customers benefit from simple and quick installation, easy operation and maintenance and a faster turnaround on projects”, said Mr Marwan Nesicolaci, General Manager, Asia Hub of De Nora Water Technologies.

“CECHLO technology gives our customers the flexibility to choose from on-site generation of chlorine gas or hypochlorite solution, which are both proven effective and economical for water disinfection applications”, he added.

Responding to modern water and sewage treatment challenges In an environment with ever-tightening regulations, water and sewage treatment plants have been increasingly challenged to build treatment processes and plants that offer regulatory compliance, selfsustainability, safe operation, value economics and environment-friendly solutions.

The CECHLO-MS on-site chlorine generation system was developed, based on De Nora’s expertise in electrochemistry combined with a deep experience of complex water treatment applications.

The high-strength system allows plant operators to build a self-sustainable and reliable supply chain of chlorine, eliminating the safety risks associated with delivering and storing large amounts of chlorine, especially in populated areas.

It also allows plants to optimise operation cost and improve sustainability to address the modern-day challenges.

Many centralised water treatment plants today have either installed or are considering the adoption of this safe, reliable and cost-effective solution to solve all their needs, while meeting increasingly strict safety regulations.

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The De Nora CECHLO-MS-200 system generates onsite high strength sodium hypochlorite at 12% and/or chlorine gas in a ‘plug and play’ configuration that safely produces chlorine on site.

“Modern-day challenges of water treatment are becoming more complex globally, and there is increasing demand to rise to these challenges with technology. The new De Nora CECHLO-MS 200 system utilises our proprietary technologies to help our customers to achieve a balance of safety, reliability, cost efficiency, and sustainability in water treatment", said Mr Nesicolaci.

“The team at De Nora continues to deliver innovative solutions that support safe and cost-effective water access for businesses and individuals, and we look forward to our continued working partnerships with water providers globally”, Mr Nesicolaci continued.

Regional and global successes This new product launch continues De Nora successes and partnerships in the region.

It comes on the back of ground-breaking solutions integrating both its CECHLO-MS on-site generation system and CAPITAL CONTROLS safe gas feed system to produce and feed chlorine gas and hypochlorite.

This hybrid solution was implemented by Hong Kong’s Water Supplies Department (WSD). De Nora delivered its products to several water treatment locations, with a combined design capacity of 8.46 tons/day of chlorine.

This solution is a response to safety concerns around the transportation and storage of large amounts of liquid chlorine containers in waterworks located in highly populated areas, and for these waterworks to include self-sustainable water treatment designs.

All systems are scheduled to be operational across the water treatment plants by 2022.

De Nora is recognised for nearly 100 years of expertise and dedication in the field of electrochemistry, with over 400 installations worldwide, producing more than 20 million tons of chlorine every year with CECHLO technology.

De Nora electrodes and technologies account for 80% of the worldwide chlorine production.

IES UPDATE

IES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021 The IES 55th Electronic Annual General Meeting (e-AGM) took place on 29 May 2021 over Zoom, in view of restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It was attended by more than 160 members.

Dr Richard Kwok, the 28th IES President, began by reporting on the key activities that happened in the past year, with the members, engineering community, industry, society, and nation in mind.

For members, this included a 50 per cent discount on membership fees and waiver of PDU requirements for the year, and a face mask distribution exercise.

Community efforts were aimed towards expanding the Chartered Engineer programme, launching the Chartered Technologist and Technician Accreditation scheme, embarking on a repositioning project, the reorganisation of the Council into five core functional groups, and the growth of IES-INCA.

Mr Dennis Tan, the Honorary Treasurer, then delivered his report on IES’ financial performance for the year.

Following this, the voting results of several constitutional amendments were tallied and reported. This time, e-voting was conducted before the e-AGM to ensure a smoother process that would not be affected by any technical problems that could occur on the day of the meeting.

The aim of these amendments were to grant Associate Members representation on the Council, as part of our drive towards greater inclusivity, and also to officially confer emeritus status on our former presidents, in honour of their service to IES and the engineering community.

IES championed a few initiatives to support the industry as well, such as launching the Singapore Railway Standards, and the signing of three MOUs in Artificial Intelligence to stimulate engineering advancements in this field.

Dr Kwok then spoke about National Engineers Day (NED) 2020, which went virtual to continue engaging students and kindle their passion for engineering, despite the challenges faced during the pandemic.

He reported that NED would continue in the same format this year, and invited members to step forward to mentor the participants for this year’s Engineering Innovation Challenge.

The IES 55th e-AGM was held over Zoom in view of pandemic restrictions that were in place.

Another major activity was the Charles Rudd Distinguished Public Lectures that took place in the middle of May. The webinar saw some 1,800 participants log in from Singapore and around the world to learn more about sustainability and its impact on our future lives.

This, coupled with the IES-YC Wong Project Management Scholarship, were part of IES’ efforts to enlighten society and nurture future talents.

Together with the formation of a new Technical Committee on Climate Change, and the second run of the Global Engineers Leadership Programme, Dr Kwok opined that all the achievements in 2020 were a big step towards IES’ long term vision of advancing engineering for the betterment of mankind.

The IES Council Session for 2021/2022, correct as at 29 May 2021.

THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2021

39

IN MEMORIAM

ALFRED JOSEPH GABRIEL FOUNDING MEMBER, FORMER IES VICE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER Mr Alfred Joseph Gabriel FIES, a Founding Member of the Institution, passed away peacefully on 9 June 2021. He was 102.

He helped guide IES in its formative years, serving in a number of positions between 1966 and 1974: Council Member (1966 – 1968, 1969 – 1971), Honorary Treasurer (1968 – 1969, 1971 – 1972), and Vice President (1972 – 1974).

Mr Gabriel joined the Singapore City Council in 1954 as an electrical engineer, and retired from PUB (which took over the provision of public utilities from the City Council) in 1973.

IES was an organisation very dear to Mr Gabriel’s heart and he will be fondly missed by its members.

The President, Council and Secretariat are deeply saddened by this news and express their sincere condolences to his family.

REINFORCEMENT OF ENGINEERING CAPACITIES IS CRUCIAL TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Despite high demand for engineering, a global effort is needed to address specific regional disparities, especially in Africa, according to the second UNESCO Engineering Report, ‘Engineering for Sustainable Development: Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals’, released to mark the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, celebrated on 4 March 2021.

The report points to currently insufficient engineering capacities to achieve the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and highlights the lack of diversity in the field. It demonstrates how equal opportunity for all is key to ensuring an inclusive and gender balanced profession able to realise its full potential.

“Engineering is one of the keys to the sustainable development of our societies, and to activate its full potential, the world needs more engineers and more equality”, said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO. The report further notes that ‘the unprecedented situation presented by the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the interconnected nature of societies and how scientific innovations, through the effective implementation of engineering, can increase resilience’.

The report presents a snapshot of engineering innovations and actions that are contributing to meeting the SDGs, with contributions from authors from every region of the world. It highlights the crucial role of engineering

in achieving each of the 17 SDGs, and explains why it is crucial to engage the engineering profession.

The report also demonstrates how engineering innovations and new technologies, especially those using information and communication technologies and data, are transforming our world for the better. Most importantly, it demonstrates how engineering is vital to solving the critical issues of today, including climate change, urbanisation and preserving the health of our oceans and forests, for example.

‘Engineering itself needs to transform to become more innovative, inclusive, cooperative and responsible’, according to the report. A new paradigm for engineering is thus urgently needed, one that bridges traditional divisions between disciplines and that is inter- and multi-disciplinary in its approach, enabling engineering to address complex issues such as climate change. Furthermore, engineers need to understand and shoulder their social responsibility by contributing to a more sustainable, resilient and equitable world for all people.

The report was prepared in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Engineering; the International Centre for Engineering Education (ICEE), based at Tsinghua University; the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO); and other international engineering organisations.

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