As Singapore's hunt for clean energy becomes more intense, the authorities in this country are physically digging down to investigate whether or not the heat that is found underground can be harnessed to provide power to the nation.
This exploration into geothermal energy is part of Singapore's broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce its reliance on imported natural gas. Given the limited land area and dense urban environment, Singapore faces unique challenges in implementing large-scale renewable energy projects. Geothermal energy, if viable, could offer a consistent and reliable power source that complements other renewable options like solar and wind.
In order to gain a better understanding of the most recent advancements in geothermal energy, as well as the operational issues that are associated with the technologies and laws that are necessary, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has been to geothermal facilities located in different countries.
The site visits took place in the midst of a study that was conducted across the entire island of Singapore and began in 2024. The purpose of the study was to determine the possibility of geothermal energy in assisting the Republic in reaching net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
A study that was conducted in July 2023 discovered a location close to the Sembawang hot spring that has the potential to have temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius, which are the temperatures required for the generation of power, at depths ranging from 4 kilometers to 5 kilometers.
The discovery near Sembawang hot spring has sparked interest among local and international energy companies. This site could potentially serve as a pilot project for geothermal energy development in Singapore. If successful, it may pave the way for further exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources across the island, contributing significantly to Singapore's clean energy portfolio.
When EMA was in Geretsried, Germany, they went to see a facility that is being constructed by Eavor, a Canadian start-up business that is supported by Temasek, an investment corporation based in Singapore.
The technology that Eavor employs is a form of deep geothermal system that is capable of extracting heat from hot, dry rocks that are located at depths of up to several kilometers underground.
While traditional systems necessitate the presence of shallow subterranean pools of hot water or steam, Singapore does not possess these geological features, according to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Using an underground closed-loop system of pipes, Eavor is able to convey water that absorbs natural heat from the earth. This water is then used to generate energy on an industrial scale on the surface of the earth.
Eavor's innovative approach to geothermal energy is particularly appealing to Singapore due to its adaptability to various geological conditions. The closed-loop system minimizes environmental impact, making it a suitable option for densely populated urban areas like Singapore. This could potentially revolutionize how geothermal energy is harnessed in areas without traditional geothermal features.
More than 8 megawatts of power will be able to be generated by the plant by the time it is completely operational, which is by the year 2026. This figures corresponds to around 0.1 percent of the peak demand for power in Singapore in the year 2023.
However, because to the enormous lengths of drilling that are involved, advanced geothermal systems (AGS) are typically more expensive and need more time to deploy. This is according to a spokesperson for the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
ST was informed by a spokeswoman for the company that the construction of the Eavor facility in Germany required the construction of a series of multilateral loops underneath. This was done in order to completely harness the available heat that was located there and to maximize cost efficiency.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has shown its interest in gaining knowledge about the drilling technologies that Eavor is utilizing to enable deep and directional drilling, for example.
According to Professor Alessandro Romagnoli of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, the looped design adopted by Eavor necessitates a significant amount of drilling in both the horizontal and lateral directions.
The process of drilling through the hard rock at depths where heat is located might be difficult from a mechanical standpoint there. Drilling expenses are therefore anticipated to be quite expensive, and according to him, they can account for around fifty percent of the capital that is necessary to create a fifty megawatt plant.
Despite the high initial costs, the potential long-term benefits of geothermal energy are substantial. Once operational, geothermal plants can provide a stable and continuous energy supply with minimal maintenance costs and environmental impact. This makes them an attractive investment for nations looking to secure their energy future while reducing carbon emissions.
He went on to say that any advancements in drilling technique that result in an increase in the rate of penetration have the potential to lower the overall cost of geothermal projects and make them more appealing towards investors by the year 2035.
There is also the possibility that EMA will make use of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). In order to induce cracks, this technique requires pouring water into deep heated rock formations while applying a high pressure. After the fluids have been heated, they are removed in order to carry heat to the surface, which is then used to generate electricity.
The danger of creating water contamination and inducing earthquakes or tremors is still a concern, according to a spokeswoman for the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), despite the fact that such systems are known to be more cost-effective in comparison to AGS. This is especially true when considering the fact that every location in Singapore is often located in close proximity to urban infrastructure.
Prof. Romagnoli stated that Singapore is lucky in that the country is situated at a great distance from major tectonic boundaries, which helps to minimize the impacts of seismicity that are caused by the extraction of geothermal energy.
According to Professor Romagnoli, businesses like as Fervo Energy, based in the United States, and United Downs, based in the United Kingdom, have successfully established EGS projects in both nations; however, these projects were situated in locations that were not highly populated. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the possible influence that such systems could have on metropolitan ecosystems such as Singapore.
The present geothermal study may provide some vital insights on this matter, he continued, and it will be necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation that does not include any intrusive procedures in order to evaluate the seismic risk in Singapore.
Fervo Energy, which is currently operating a prototype project in Nevada with a capacity of 3.5 megawatts, claims to have a system in place to regulate induced seismicity. By the year 2028, the company intends to have expanded to a power plant with a capacity of 400 megawatts.
A collaboration consisting of Surbana Jurong, Chevron New Energies International, and Bridgeporth, a geophysical business based in the United Kingdom, is carrying out a research on Singapore's geothermal potential that will cost sixteen million dollars and last for two years.
In addition to conducting airborne surveys, the consultants will take into consideration a variety of aspects, including Singapore's built environment, airspace operations, safety and security considerations, and operations.
At this stage, the authorities are evaluating the effectiveness of performing surveys over territorial seas and outlying islands, according to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The current efforts will concentrate on the mainland of Singapore.
The integration of geothermal energy into Singapore's energy mix could significantly alter the landscape of energy production in the region. With the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, geothermal energy represents a promising step towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Singapore. As the nation continues to innovate and explore new technologies, it sets a benchmark for other urban centers worldwide.
At the same time, the findings of the study will be able to assess whether or not Singapore possesses geological formations that are ideal for the storage of carbon. This will make it possible for the Republic to seize the gas that is warming the globe from sources that are harming the environment, to seize the gas, and to store it permanently underground.
Surveying techniques include determining the density and magnetic characteristics of rocks by using magnetic signals and measuring the gravity field of subsurface rock formations. Other approaches include measuring the gravity field of the rocks.
An integration of the findings from geological surveys with other data that is already available would result in the creation of three-dimensional models that will assist consultants in comprehending the geophysical characteristics of subsurface formations and the natural heat generation capacities of these formations.
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