Alif Amsyar Channel NewsAsia 30 Jan 19;
SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) on Wednesday (Jan 30) unveiled a new building at the School of Design and Environment that has net-zero energy consumption.
This means the building consumes only as much energy as it produces on site, such as by harnessing solar energy. Named SDE4, it is said to be the first net-zero energy building in Singapore that was built from scratch.
The six-storey building features several sustainable designs such as solar roof installations, a hybrid cooling system and a large overhanging roof.
The 1,225 solar panels installed on the roof can supply more than 500 megawatt hours of energy per year. This can power up to 1,500 three-room flats for more than a month.
On days when there is insufficient sunlight, the building will draw energy from the university’s power grid, said NUS in a media release.
A large overhanging roof shades the building from the sun’s heat, and to manage energy consumption, a hybrid cooling system ensures that rooms will not be over-cooled.
“Rooms within the building are supplied with cool air at higher temperatures and humidity levels than a conventional air-conditioning system,” said NUS.
“Ceiling fans circulate the cool air to generate a comfort condition that is significantly better than overcooled spaces.”
“SDE4 sets an example to the building industry for higher performance standards and the integration of renewable technologies,” said NUS president Tan Eng Chye. “Our students studying in the building will reap the benefits of the human-centric building design.”
Speaking at the opening of SDE4, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said such buildings play a part in climate change. The building sector accounts for one-quarter of Singapore’s carbon emissions, he noted.
“We have made green buildings a priority to tackle climate change. Currently, about 36 per cent of our buildings are green. We plan to raise this to 80 per cent by 2030,” said Mr Heng, who is also chairman of the National Research Foundation.
He added that Singapore must continue to harness technologies and drive innovation to improve the living environment.
“Ultimately, our buildings must be more than just bricks and mortar,” Mr Heng said. “They must be human-centric and help to promote interactions among its occupants and connect them and improve wellness.”
Source: CNA/zl(gs)
NUS launches Singapore's first net-zero energy building to be built from scratch
Derek Wong Straits Times 30 Jan 19;
SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) launched Singapore's first net-zero energy building to be built from scratch on Wednesday (Jan 30) at its School of Design and Environment (SDE).
Environmentally friendly features such as a solar panel roof and a hybrid cooling system help the new building, called SDE4, to have net-zero energy consumption.
Net-zero energy means the building produces more energy than it consumes - such as by harnessing solar energy.
More than 1,200 solar photovoltaic panels help to power the entire building and produce more than 500MW-hours of energy a year, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of about 110 four-room Housing Board flats.
The building is estimated to save about $180,000 in energy costs a year, although the cost of its construction was not revealed.
NUS president Tan Eng Chye said at its launch that the building is "testament to our continuous efforts in incorporating sustainability in various aspects of our campus life".
"We hope that this novel concept will inspire future high-performance buildings and sustainable development designs in Singapore and beyond," he added.
Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance and chairman of the National Research Foundation, officiated at the launch.
He said it is important that buildings like SDE4 play a part in tackling climate change, as the building sector contributes a quarter of Singapore's carbon emissions.
"(SDE4) is a good example of how we can achieve better and more sustainable outcomes when the Government, industry and academia work closely together," said Mr Heng.
He highlighted the building's hybrid cooling system, a mixed-ventilation design that combines air-conditioning and fresh air, as a way technology can help reduce energy consumption. In Singapore, the process of cooling buildings usually accounts for 40 per cent to 50 per cent of a building's energy consumption.
SDE4's cooling system is designed as a single-pass system with no recirculated air as it continuously supplies fresh air to building users. The public spaces in the building are also designed to maximise natural wind through SDE4.
Partners in the project include architecture firm Serie+Multiply, infrastructure consultancy Surbana-Jurong and contractor Kajima Corporation.
Construction for SDE4 began about two years ago and it is meant to hold about 400 students. Most of the spaces will be used as design studios.
Other net-zero energy buildings here are also in the works. The Tahir Foundation Connexion, also fully solar-powered, is expected to be completed at the end of this year at Singapore Management University.
Existing net-zero energy buildings here, such as the BCA (Building and Construction Authority) Academy, had been modified to become net-zero energy.
