Singapore, Asia’s Latest Rising Geothermal Market – An interview with Alessandro Romagnoli (supply for inset photograph: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, through Wikimedia Commons)
On this interview with Prof. Alessandro Romagnoli, we talk about Singapore’s geothermal potential, the work that has been carried out, and challenges to be addressed.
Many individuals are already acquainted with Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and China as a number of the leaders of geothermal growth in Asia. Taiwan and South Korea space additionally steadily increase their geothermal markets, and we’re starting to see encouraging progress in India.
Till lately, Singapore has not been within the record of Asian international locations which might be aggressively pursuing geothermal initiatives. This has seemingly modified lately with earnest efforts for geothermal growth as a part of a examine on geothermal potential in Singapore below the Nanyang Technological College (NTU).
To be taught extra about this intriguing geothermal mission, we talked to Prof. Alessandro Romagnoli from the Faculty of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at NTU and lead of the examine.
Are you able to inform us in regards to the historical past of geothermal exploration in Singapore and the efforts which might be being undertaken now?
A number of investigations had been performed on the Sembawang sizzling spring between 1963 and the early 2000s, together with actions reminiscent of shallow nicely drilling, pumping, and water chemical evaluation (Zhao, Chen, and Cai, 2002). On the finish of this era, the primary conceptual mannequin for the groundwater system with outflow on the Sembawang sizzling spring was proposed.
Subsequently, there was a six-year pause within the examine earlier than researchers on the Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS) expanded the groundwater idea in 2009-2012, simulating the primary laptop mannequin for the Singapore geothermal reservoir (Oliver et al., 2011).
After this desktop examine, the subsequent section was to progress with additional area examine. A number of analysis programmes had been proposed, initially by the NUS staff and later by a staff from Nanyang Technological College (NTU), however none obtained funding throughout this extended geothermal analysis hiatus interval.
Lastly, in 2021, funding was secured for our examine involving the drilling of the deepest nicely in Singapore granite, which has yielded promising findings. In September 2023, the Power Market Authority (EMA) known as for proposals for a nationwide non-invasive survey in Singapore, signaling elevated curiosity in geothermal exploration.
You latterly reported on the outcomes of a analysis nicely drilled to about 1 kilometer. What are you able to say in regards to the outcomes from drilling and testing of this nicely? Are the outcomes simply as anticipated?
The most recent replace on our examine is certainly promising. As in our press launch from July 2023, our findings point out a optimistic outlook for geothermal potential in Singapore, notably at our examine space within the northern a part of Singapore. Our temperature measurements and extrapolations counsel rocks at depth 4 – 5 km may very well be sizzling sufficient for energy era and varied warmth utilisation functions. The geothermal gradient, granite warmth manufacturing and the warmth movement are measured to be increased than the worldwide common (for non-volcanic areas).
The geometrical extent of the potential sizzling rock stays unknown. Nonetheless, if the temperature and the rock traits noticed from our 1 – 1.5 km deep wells stay constant to depths of 4 – 5 km, this might enhance our confidence within the existence of sizzling rock assets throughout the Simpang granite area. If this potential is realized, it might symbolize a considerable renewable vitality supply able to supplying a good portion of Singapore’s vitality wants.
Apart from the present examine website, are there another websites in Singapore which might be of curiosity?
Different places with geothermal potential embody the japanese and western sides of Singapore. The japanese aspect of Singapore includes a skinny sedimentary layer over a probably sizzling granitic basement, whereas the western aspect is characterised by thick sedimentary layers that may act as a warmth lure from deeper sources. Our near-surface temperature distribution map signifies elevated temperature zones within the western a part of Singapore. Nonetheless, confirming the existence of this thermal useful resource would require additional exploration efforts.
Moreover, Pulau Tekong (an offshore island within the northeast) stays of curiosity as there’s a area in Unum that includes a boarded space containing sizzling water. In a examine by Lim et al. in 2019, the floor temperatures of the water throughout the sizzling springs had been measured to be round 50°C. Nonetheless, they seen that there was moist soil with faint traces of steam across the boarded space. The staff inserted thermometers into the moist soil, discovering that the temperatures exceeded 90°C.
What scale of growth do you envision for geothermal in Singapore? Are you aiming for energy era, cooling, or any sort of direct use software?
At this time we’re exploring completely different choices for geothermal warmth utilization, which embody energy era, cooling, water desalination, and different situations together with, as an illustration hydrogen manufacturing. We’re firming up some techno-environmental analyses to determine the perfect accessible choices for Singapore.
Are there any particular challenges of conducting geothermal investigations in a extremely city space like Singapore?
Being extremely populated, the deployment of a geothermal facility in Singapore would require cautious consideration about location, operation, security and reliability. It’s value noting that the majority of the infrastructure in geothermal initiatives is underground, therefore with satisfactory engineering design and development, we don’t envisage any main shortcoming from having geothermal amenities deployed in Singapore.
Geothermal is probably going an unfamiliar idea in Singapore. How has the reception been socially? How supportive has the federal government been of this mission?
Geothermal growth in Singapore is commonly linked to the favored way of life of locals, notably senior residents, centred across the Sembawang sizzling spring. Geothermal vitality growth is commonly related to the utilization of the new spring and, due to this fact, a possible elimination of a component of their way of life. So far as we all know, there is no such thing as a geothermal growth plan that will impression the Sembawang sizzling spring, and so there is no such thing as a menace to the beloved way of life of the residents.
The federal government has been supportive particularly within the granting of approvals to conduct the deep exploratory drillings, and the extension on the utilization of land whereas we overcome technical challenges. We word that these established relationships with the assorted businesses are paramount for additional growth work. There have been notable people inside these authorities businesses which have been championing the geothermal thought for years.
With the beneficial findings from our present examine, we hope that the federal government stays receptive and dedicated to understanding and growing Singapore’s subsurface and its assets.
What different type of assist is required to advance geothermal in Singapore? This can be when it comes to know-how, technical experience, coverage assist, funding, communications.
Knowledge on the deep subsurface of Singapore is sparse and restricted to the depths of the primary few hundred metres. The EMA’s nationwide geophysical survey is step one in the proper path to deal with this data hole. The collected datasets could show invaluable in managing mission dangers, reminiscent of in figuring out websites for deep drilling and in nicely design. Furthermore, survey outcomes can play an important function in shaping Singapore’s future endeavours, together with policy-making and nationwide infrastructure growth planning.
One technique to entry warmth vitality from deep sizzling dry rocks entails drilling and fracturing of rocks at important depths. This technique stays difficult and costly to at the present time, particularly in extremely urbanised areas like Singapore. Another warmth extraction technique is Superior Geothermal System (AGS), which doesn’t require rock fracturing, however requires in depth drilling. Whereas AGS stays an rising know-how, small scale initiatives have been efficiently demonstrated by industrial entities. Massive-scale initiatives are at present underway, with plans to provide the grid as early as summer season 2026.
In Singapore, one avenue for progress is to discover deeper (say, drill a 5-km deep nicely) and utilise the nicely for additional examine, reminiscent of small scale warmth extraction and utilisation earlier than embarking on large-scale industrial initiatives. This method will enable us to fine-tune our strategies and assess the viability of the next ventures.
Native experience is a vital component to the development of geothermal vitality growth in Singapore. Regardless of the shortage of geothermal-related expertise, our ongoing mission has introduced collectively like-minded people who supply their data and expertise to understand Singapore’s geothermal potential. Helps to proceed with these exploration efforts will present alternatives to take care of and develop the native experience. In flip, when the rising heat-extraction system turns into commercially viable, Singapore can be able to deploy the system and advance towards commercial-scale geothermal warmth utilisations.
One other essential assist required is the institution of coverage and regulatory frameworks. These frameworks ought to purpose to create an enabling setting that facilitates funding and incentivizes the exploration and utilisation of geothermal vitality in Singapore. Whereas industrial entities are keen to take part within the exploration course of, they’re typically hesitant to bear the related dangers. Due to this fact, one mechanism to encourage geothermal growth initiatives is thru authorities monetary assist.
Cited works
Oliver, G.J.H. et al. (2011) ‘Engineered geothermal energy methods for Singapore’, The IES Journal Half A: Civil & Structural Engineering, 4(4), pp. 245–253. Accessible at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19373260.2011.598261.
Zhao, J., Chen, C.N. and Cai, J.G. (2002) ‘A hydrogeological examine of the Sembawang sizzling spring in Singapore’, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Atmosphere, 61(1), pp. 59–71. Accessible at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-001-0143-0.
