Global Warming is the greatest challenge that we face globally. It is an issue that demands attention by all the nations, all industrial sectors, and eventually, all individuals. The main cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels into energy that we have harnessed for our economic progress. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases which trap warmth from the sun and cause an increase in the atmospheric temperature. The CO2 gas released by burning fossil fuels and industrial processes accounts for more than 65% of the total emissions that contribute to global warming. However, our mitigation has to be reasonable - we have to both reduce emissions and at the same time, ensure that global economic progress can be maintained.
A large part of the solution depends on the reduction of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Although the consequences of warming will impact everyone globally, the solutions have to be implemented by individual nations based on their particular needs and circumstances. As an example, by switching power generation from coal to natural gas, the CO2 concentration in flue gases can be brought down from about 15% to 3%. However, natural gas is not available in all countries, while other countries have large coal deposits that enable electricity to be generated cost-effectively. Whether it is through gas, renewables, nuclear or hydroelectric, each country will have to think about its own targets for lowering CO2 emissions.
In addition to alternative sources of generating electricity, we need to consider technological solutions as well. Carbon capture and sequestration is one of the technologies that needs to be amongst the solutions that we consider. Although this is not feasible everywhere, carbon capture is a mature technology and some countries are already using it cost-effectively. Other emerging solutions go beyond basic capture and sequestration - like enhancing CO2 concentrations and using it as a feed for manufacturing useful chemicals. Technologies based on Absorption, Adsorption, Cryogenic Separation, Low Temperature Distillation, and Membrane Separation are in various stages of development and require further work for cost-effective commercial utilization.
Singapore does not have the luxury of space. Hence, carbon storage is not an option as we cannot store CO2 in depleted Oil & Gas reservoirs. Nonetheless, Singapore has unique advantages and can pursue solutions that are best suited for the nation. Singapore’s major industries are concentrated on Jurong Island which also has a large LNG Terminal at the same location. Because of this proximity, we can effectively design Cryogenic Separation and Low Temperature Distillation for separation/liquefaction of CO2 from cold LNG. The CO2 recovered can be used for the production of chemicals. Singapore can set an industrial policy to maximize all possible advantages, while at the same time, work to reduce emissions. This is not the only technological solution that should be considered. There are already early trials of battery storage, and we have to pursue a strategy of considering all viable avenues to ensure that Singapore plays its part in solving global warming. Luckily, Singapore can develop the expertise and know-how to design and engineer solutions based on its strengths.
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