Other Low-Carbon Alternatives Such as Biomass

Other Low-Carbon Alternatives Such as Biomass

Singapore will want to build optionality in other potentially viable low-carbon alternatives to diversify its energy mix and decarbonise the power sector. Biomethane and biomass pathways currently present the most promising pathways. Biomethane is being implemented as a drop-in alternative to natural gas through the biomethane import sandbox, while the deployment of biomass power plants is also being explored.

Biomass, however, carries a disposal constraint specific to Singapore. The ash produced from combustion cannot be sent to Semakau Landfill, nor exported back to the country of origin, so the scale at which biomass power can be deployed depends on finding a use for it. This ‘waste’ can be used — in land reclamation, coastal protection seawalls or building construction materials, among others — but only if it meets environmental and use-case quality standards, and only in volumes matching our biomass power plant expansion plans.

AEDO’s research focus within this area is therefore on the treatment and utilisation of biomass ash, rather than on combustion technology itself. Our R&D strategy addresses the following challenges:

Enable Sustainable Biomass Power Deployment in Singapore

Challenge statement: Develop, demonstrate, and scale universal biomass ash treatment and utilisation technologies that can treat a wide range of biomass ash types; meet Singapore’s regulatory requirements and end-use specifications; at a target ash treatment cost of < S$50/tonne of biomass ash.