Senoko Energy gets the nod with upgrade of gas turbines
THROUGH the successful upgrade of its gas turbines using advanced technologies, Senoko Energy improved the thermal efficiency of two of its combined cycle plants, resulting in about 15,000 tonnes of reduction in carbon emissions annually. This is equivalent to taking more than 4,500 cars off the road a year.
This effort helped it get an Honourable Mention in the Best Practices award category.
"It is an honour to receive the EENP Award. It validated the hard work of our engineers, technicians and workers, particularly as the upgrade occurred during a challenging time of the pandemic where there were many Covid-19 cases in the migrant workers' dormitories locally and the rest of the world affecting the travel of technical advisers and specialists from overseas due to the strict border controls," Tan Cheng Teck, Executive Vice President, Operations & Maintenance, Senoko Energy, tells BT.
"For that, we are grateful to the project team for their meticulous planning and execution, the close collaboration with Mitsubishi Power and other contractors, as well as tremendous support from EMA in facilitating the entry of technical advisers from Japan to Singapore through the Green Lane arrangement. This was truly a team effort."
Promoting energy efficiency is an ongoing effort at Senoko Energy, and it is not curtailed because of the pandemic. As part of its long-term strategic planning, the company strives to produce energy more efficiently and generating cleaner energy is high on its list of priorities.
Senoko Energy has been awarded ISO 50001 for energy efficiency management system since 2013. "We do this not only because energy efficiency lowers our business operating cost, it is our obligation to do our best for the environment.
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"Just last month, Senoko Energy launched #TakeCharge, our corporate sustainability initiative as we are aware how well we manage and mitigate environmental risks will become a key factor in how regulators, our clients and our investors assess our worthiness. In short, it determines our 'social licence to operate'."
In his view, improving energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to address the challenges of energy cost, energy security and global climate change.
"The use of energy is so widespread and has become such a fundamental part of our life. The ability to produce energy more efficiently, therefore, is instrumental in reducing the effects of climate change, one of the most urgent and important challenges we face today. For a power generator, energy efficiency also means a reduction in operation cost. It's a win-win for all," says Tan.
An ongoing pursuit at Senoko Energy is its long standing and continuous close collaboration with its original equipment manufacturer partners. It regularly shares information and bounces off ideas with them on how it can improve energy efficiency.
"We also keep abreast of the best practices in the industry and tap funding support from the government, such as EMA's Energy Efficiency Grant Call for Power Generation Companies.
"Some initiatives that are ongoing or have been undertaken include process optimisation for cooling water pump operation, plant lighting energy conservation, air-conditioning temperature optimisation and active monitoring and rectifying steam and air leakage to minimise energy wastage," Tan says.
As part of its long-term planning, Senoko Energy is looking into other low carbon alternatives in energy production, as well as the production of green energy. It is doing feasibility studies, working with tertiary and research institutions as well as industry partners, and tapping the expertise of its shareholders who have vast experience in these areas, he adds.
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