(EnergyAsia, August 19 2011, Friday) — Japan’s electronics giant Panasonic said it has teamed up with the Singapore government to test-bed its “total energy” solutions for a public housing project in Punggol estate.

Panasonic will work with the Housing & Development Board (HDB), Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) to implement and integrate its energy creation, storage and saving solutions at an existing public residential building through 2013.

Punggol Eco Town, designated a key “living lab” for urban sustainability solutions in Singapore, will be installed with Panasonic’s photovoltaic systems to produce solar energy to power common facilities such as lifts, water pumps and lighting.

Panasonic will also introduce its lithium-ion battery to store excess electricity generated by the solar panels for use at night and to serve as a backup electricity generator. It also plans to increase energy efficiency in the households by installing its Home Energy Management System (HEMS) in participating units in the block. This helps the households to monitor their electricity, water and gas consumption patterns via in-home display and better manage their energy consumption.

The Japanese firm said it is looking to collaborate with EMA in implementing the government’s Intelligent Energy System (IES) pilot project announced in November 2009.

Through the use of smart meters and smart grid technology, the pilot seeks to test the feasibility of applications to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Singapore’s power system. The system is also aimed at helping consumers to better manage their energy consumption through the use of home energy management systems, time-of-use pricing and incentives to encourage peak loads shaving.

Speaking at the Punggol Eco-Town event, Fumio Ohtsubo, President of Panasonic Corporation, said:

“Singapore, with its excellent infrastructure and talent base, is an ideal living-lab to test-bed our energy solutions. I expect this collaboration to be a pioneer endeavour to contribute towards a greener lifestyle in Singapore and the region with our technology.”
 
Chee Hong Tat, EMA’s chief executive, said: “As the industry developer for the energy sector in Singapore, one of EMA’s strategies is to work with industry partners to test-bed innovative energy solutions and develop new business ideas. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with companies like Panasonic, who bring useful economic value and technological expertise that will benefit Singapore’s economy and consumers.”

Lau Joo Ming, managing director of HDB Building Research Institute, said:

“HDB recognises the importance of sustainable living. Hence, HDB has been actively promoting environmental best practices through our building and development processes, and with the setting up of HDB’s first Punggol Eco-Town.”

Tan Choon Shian, EDB’s deputy managing director, said:

“We are delighted that Panasonic intends to work with our government agencies and leverage Singapore as a living laboratory to create and demonstrate their total energy solutions.

This project attests to the ease of private-public partnerships in Singapore, and will help Panasonic accelerate the commercialisation of its new energy solutions business, before scaling up for global markets.”

Also present at the event were Yorihisa Shiokawa, managing director of Panasonic Asia Pacific, Haruyuki Ishio, Panasonic’s director for Promoting Energy Solution Business, Larry Cheng, deputy managing director of HDB Building Research Institute, and other Panasonic executives and Singapore government officials.