Under the Environment and Water Technologies (EWT) Strategic Programme, there are 2 main thrusts in the areas of Clean Water and Clean Energy.
Clean Water
Clean water is an increasingly important international issue. Technologies are needed to produce clean water and to ensure that water effluent does not pollute the environment, especially in areas of rapid industrial and population growth. Countries and cities are looking for solutions to their water management issues and shortages.
Singapore has invested heavily in water technology since the 1970s to ensure a sustainable and diversified water supply. Today, Singapore is known internationally for its strong capabilities in water management and is recognised as a leading adopter of new water technologies, especially in membrane applications. Singapore is the world's largest user of membranes per capita, and a pioneer in large-scale water reclamation. The presentation of the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award to Singapore is a testament to its holistic approach to water resources management which has made water use sustainable for different sectors of society in an urban island environment.
The Strategic Research Programme on Clean Water builds on this strong foundation in water technologies and management to further deepen the research base and strengthen international R&D linkages, which will enable Singapore to take a leading role in developing new technological solutions for managing the water life cycle.
The Strategic Research Programme on Clean Water aims to develop Singapore into a Global Hydro-hub by 2015 through a holistic approach involving industry and technology development, with R&D as the key driver. Test-bedding opportunities will be expanded by making the entire Singapore as a test-bed for new processes and products.
The Environment & Water Industry Development Council (EWI) was set up to drive the strategies and implementation of the strategic research programme in a focused manner.
Clean Energy
The Strategic Research Programme on Clean Energy rides on Singapore's clean and green image, and is a natural extension of our environmental sustainability track record.
The vision is to develop Singapore into a Global Clean Energy Hub where clean energy products and solutions are developed here and exported globally.
While the Clean Energy industry comprises a broad range of areas including renewables, energy efficiency and carbon services, solar energy has been identified as the main focus area. Singapore's strong capabilities in the electronics, precision engineering and chemicals sectors, coupled with manufacturing and process automation know-how, an extensive supplier base and intellectual property protection, place us in good stead to grow a world-class solar industry.
Technology development will be a key driver to grow the Clean Energy industry and one key initiative is the Clean Energy Research Programme, a competitive funding scheme. Singapore will also establish world-class R&D centres and groom specialist manpower for this industry through graduate scholarships.
Singapore will offer itself as a global test-bed and site of early adoption of technologies in both the public and private sectors so as develop new applications and build our capabilities in systems integration and building integrated photovoltaics.
The Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO) implements and coordinates the various research and test-bedding programmes. EIPO will leverage on the strengths of various government agencies for a comprehensive approach to develop the Clean Energy industry.
