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Volume 1 Issue 1 Year 2007 M<strong>ICA</strong> (P) 234/10/2006<br />

Singapore: Exporting An<br />

Urban Planning Miracle<br />

Often, Singapore is seen as just another shopper’s paradise or as an exotic Southeast-Asian holiday getaway. However, this tiny<br />

nation of 4.3 million people is also one of the most efficient and well-planned cities in the world. Consequently, it holds many<br />

infrastructure-development lessons for other developing countries such as India, Vietnam, China (PRC) and the Middle-East .<br />

SINGAPORE is only the size of 68,200 football fields (699 sq.km.).<br />

However, the small city-state’s efficient town planning, unique<br />

building architecture (public and private) and effective waste-disposal<br />

system places Singapore on par with highly-developed global<br />

metropolises. The very founding of modern Singapore in 1819 by Sir<br />

Stamford Raffles was arguably a planning achievement in itself – as<br />

the British searched for a deep, sheltered harbour to establish a pivotal<br />

maritime base for their interests in the Far East. Faced with the pressure<br />

of a mounting population, Singapore founded the Housing<br />

INSIDE<br />

urban development<br />

Surbana Corporation: From Mass Housing To<br />

Iconic Building ............................................................. 2<br />

environment<br />

Water Sustainability .................................................... 3<br />

transportation<br />

Three SEA Public Transport Systems ........................ 4<br />

The Advantages Of Steel Fibre Reinforced<br />

Concrete (SFRC) ........................................................ 6<br />

energy<br />

Bitumen: A Growing Energy Source In Asia ............... 8<br />

Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaics .............. 10<br />

Development Board (HDB) in 1960, which many feel was the turning<br />

point in the history of modern Singapore. In the course of the next<br />

five years, the HDB constructed 50,000 new homes, and by 1970,<br />

housing had ceased to be a cause for concern in Singapore. Today,<br />

the policy of Singapore’s urban planning – under the charge of the<br />

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) – is to create partially selfsufficient<br />

towns and districts. In turn, these are further served by<br />

four centres, each serving one of the four different regions of<br />

Singapore besides the Central Area. These regional centres reduce<br />

traffic strain on Singapore’s central business district (CBD) by<br />

replacing some of its commercial functions.<br />

As land is scarce, the goal of urban planning is to use land<br />

efficiently without sacrificing comfort, and also to serve as many<br />

people as possible for a particular function, such as housing or<br />

commercial purposes. Infrastructure and environmental concerns (as<br />

well as enough space for water catchments and military uses) are<br />

important planning considerations. Land reclamation has continued<br />

to be used extensively in urban planning, and Singapore has grown<br />

at least 100 sq km from its original size before 1819. The urbanplanning<br />

policy demands that most buildings should be high-rises,<br />

with exceptions for conservation of heritage or nature areas. Urban<br />

planning policy also relies on the effective use of public transport.<br />

Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system links all the different<br />

districts by rail, thus reducing reliance on roads. This further reduces<br />

strain on traffic and vehicle pollution while saving land space. The<br />

districts with their different functions are allocated strategically<br />

according to 55 planning areas.<br />

While efficient town planning ensures optimum use of<br />

resources, aesthetically-pleasing architecture makes the cityscape<br />

impressive without compromising on precious natural resources.<br />

Singapore’s architecture has won accolades the world over as a<br />

unique mix of Eastern and Western styles displaying both<br />

efficiency as well as beauty. Getting around the city and the<br />

suburbs is convenient via Singapore’s extensive and reliable public<br />

transport system. Singapore’s transportation policy strives to<br />

provide free-flowing traffic for easy movement of people and<br />

goods within the constraints of its limited land space. This is done<br />

by minimising travel through systematic town planning,<br />

facilitating accessibility by constructing an extensive and<br />

comprehensive network of free-use and gantry toll roads, and<br />

promoting an alternative efficient transport system which<br />

integrated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rapid Transit (LRT),<br />

and public bus services.<br />

Prudent land-use planning has enabled Singapore to enjoy<br />

strong economic growth and maintain social cohesion; in addition,<br />

it ensures that sufficient land is safeguarded to support continued<br />

economic progress and future development. With a limited land<br />

area of about only 699 sq. km. Singapore is constantly in search of<br />

solutions to overcome its space constrictions.<br />

One way is to create ‘new’ land is through reclamation projects;<br />

the other way is to make the most of the land that Singapore<br />

● See page 2


Surbana Corporation: From Mass<br />

Housing to Iconic Buildings<br />

Summit Residences, China (PRC)<br />

Al Salam City – UAE<br />

Faced with the prospect of looming<br />

competition on its home turf of<br />

Singapore and armed with a 40-year<br />

track record in public housing building<br />

and design, the folks at Surbana had to<br />

quickly learn the ropes of securing<br />

business in a competitive environment.<br />

The task was made even more daunting<br />

when the Singapore government<br />

imposed a ‘non-compete condition’ on<br />

Surbana in exchange for guaranteed<br />

projects from HDB over a period of four<br />

years. It was no consolation that<br />

between 2002 and 2006, HDB ‘new<br />

build’ numbers were stagnating, as the<br />

supply of houses outstripped demand<br />

in the then shrinking economy. Unfazed<br />

by the challenges ahead and leveraging<br />

on its Singapore experience, Surbana set<br />

out exporting its planning and design<br />

expertise to the world.<br />

IN 2003, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of<br />

Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong announced in his national<br />

Budget Speech that the government will, as part of measures<br />

to facilitate entrepreneurship, progressively stop providing<br />

services that the private sector can supply. A few months<br />

later, on 1 July 2003, the public housing authority, Housing<br />

and Development Board (HDB), announced that its Building<br />

and Development Division was to be re-organised and HDB<br />

Corporation Pte Ltd (HDBCorp) would be created.<br />

Of the 3,000 personnel affected, 900 chose early<br />

retirement, while 1,300 urban planners, architects, engineers,<br />

project managers, quantity surveyors and site supervisors<br />

joined HDBCorp. The birth of HDBCorp signaled the<br />

beginning of Surbana Corporation (Surbana). The next three<br />

years following the re-organisation was an exciting one:<br />

HDBCorp was acquired by Temasek Holdings, the<br />

government’s investment vehicle and re-branded to Surbana<br />

Corporation. Surbana went on to build a township in<br />

Chengdu, China and to provide its full suite of planning,<br />

building design and construction management services to<br />

places as far flung as the Middle East and South Africa.<br />

Exporting Surbana’s Expertise<br />

Today, Surbana boasts a track record of having clinched<br />

projects in more than 45 cities across 14 countries. Some of<br />

the services that Surbana has exported include master<br />

planning for regional governments, architectural and<br />

engineering design, project management and supervision.<br />

With regional offices in Shanghai, Chengdu, Hyderabad,<br />

Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Abu Dhabi,<br />

Surbana has made its mark and staked its future on the<br />

growing economies of Asia and the Middle East.<br />

The year 2006 marked an important milestone in<br />

Surbana’s history, as the first keys to the completed<br />

apartments of the middle-income Chengdu Botanica<br />

Township were handed to buyers, thus replicating its success<br />

story in Singapore housing and township development.<br />

Riding on the wave of Botanica’s Phase One sell-out success,<br />

Surbana moved quickly to acquire land in the cities of Wuxi<br />

and Xian to build about 40,000 homes over the next decade.<br />

In January 2007, Surbana held a ground-breaking ceremony<br />

for its prestigious Royal Complex mixed-use development<br />

project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Costing US$214 million to<br />

develop, the development by the water-front prime district<br />

is scheduled for completion by January 2010. In addition,<br />

Surbana’s award winning Grand Corniche Hotel, designed<br />

to reflect Abu Dhabi’s maritime heritage, is also targeted for<br />

completion in December 2009. To be built at an approximate<br />

cost of AED 370 million (US $100 million), this sleek 35-storey<br />

structure will house a luxury hotel, serviced apartments and<br />

a retail podium.<br />

Surbana is gaining wide-recognition for its diverse<br />

regional portfolio, and has won many local and international<br />

awards. The company’s architectural designs have won a<br />

number of international competitions including an Excellence<br />

Award for the ecological master planning of Taihu<br />

(Tongzhou). Surbana was also bestowed the highest honour<br />

in the architectural arena by earning three awards for the<br />

public sector category of the internationally recognised Fiabci<br />

Prix d’Excellence in 2006. In Singapore, Surbana was<br />

recognised and awarded the 2006 BCI Asia Top-10 leading<br />

Architectural firms in Singapore and also won two HDB<br />

Design Excellence Awards in 2006.<br />

Refocusing on Home Market<br />

Surbana’s ability to deliver a full suite of services and its<br />

reputation for quality delivery is not lost on its clients. Most<br />

of the expertise in designing and building the more than<br />

900,000 homes that house about 85% of Singapore’s<br />

population resides with Surbana today. No other<br />

organisation can boast of that track record, and only a few<br />

have the in-house expertise to provide a one-stop, integrated<br />

● From page 1<br />

already has. Town planners have intensified land use<br />

by locating various facilities together instead of placing<br />

them separately. For example, storm-water collection<br />

ponds are located under road flyovers, and train stations<br />

and bus stations are built over each other. Singapore,<br />

thanks to its perennial quest for efficient town planning,<br />

has perfected a system (which can help builders and<br />

town planners in developing countries such as India,<br />

Vietnam, the Middle East and China) to find answers to<br />

pressing questions like creating adequate public<br />

housing, a clean environment, an efficient public<br />

transport system, and effective country-wide sanitation<br />

and waste-disposal systems.<br />

For example, Singapore acts as a catalyst for India’s<br />

foreign trade because Singapore is a strategic business<br />

hub for an estimated 6,000 Indian companies. Singapore<br />

is also India’s largest trading partner among the ASEAN<br />

member countries. The Indo-Singapore bilateral trade<br />

touched 16.6 billion Singapore dollars in December 2005.<br />

This trade volume is expected to increase substantially<br />

approach to development from site planning, land surveying,<br />

architectural and engineering design to contract and project<br />

management and supervision. Being a Temasek-linked<br />

company has also helped to open doors to overseas projects<br />

as foreign governments recognise the well-respected<br />

Singaporean system that offers efficiency, integrity and<br />

effectiveness.<br />

Surbana’s management recognises the challenges ahead,<br />

so it is sparing no effort in changing perceptions and<br />

promoting Surbana’s capabilities beyond just public housing<br />

projects. Indeed, Surbana has shown itself capable of more<br />

diverse designs such as iconic projects in the Middle East,<br />

retail malls in India and luxury homes in Shanghai. Besides<br />

providing the full gamut of building consultancy services,<br />

Surbana has also carved itself a niche in water-front<br />

development projects. For example, Surbana’s reclamation<br />

and infrastructure team was responsible for reclaiming most<br />

of Singapore’s eastern and northern shores, including the<br />

now highly sought after Marina Bay Financial Centre.<br />

Surbana also had a hand in building the Marina South Pier,<br />

which replaced the downtown Clifford Pier passenger ferry<br />

terminal, and the company also completed reclamation and<br />

infrastructure works for the Southern Islands, which is touted<br />

as Singapore’s newest playground for the jet-setting rich.<br />

Surbana’s consultancy arm, Surbana International<br />

Consultants, is hoping to emulate the same degree of success<br />

in its home market of Singapore as it has overseas. As of<br />

July 2007, Surbana will be free to compete for Singapore<br />

projects. The timing could not be better as the construction<br />

industry has shown strong growth, even though it is still a<br />

far cry from the pre-Asian financial crisis of S$24.4 billion in<br />

1997. With the award of two integrated resorts, a new sports<br />

hub, ramped–up public housing programmes and more<br />

government land sales expected, there should be enough<br />

projects to keep many companies busy. While Surbana may<br />

have an edge in gaining market share in public sector projects,<br />

being thoroughly familiar with the government procurement<br />

process, landing jobs in the highly competitive private sector<br />

will not be as easy. ❏<br />

with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic<br />

Cooperation Agreement (CECA). While the marketing<br />

efforts of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have<br />

ensured that Singapore is a must-see for many Indians<br />

(and PRC Chinese) planning holidays abroad, it is a<br />

propitious time for Indian companies to tap the exciting<br />

infrastructure possibilities that the vibrant city-state has<br />

to offer.<br />

Singapore companies are keen to offer their expertise<br />

in areas such as master planning of townships,<br />

architectural designs and construction. Singapore<br />

brands are also looking for partners to distribute or<br />

market their products abroad, especially in India,<br />

Vietnam, the Middle East and China (PRC). In the areas<br />

such as intelligent building systems, security<br />

surveillance systems or traffic control systems,<br />

Singapore has world-class companies, which could<br />

provide transfer of technology and infrastructuredevelopment<br />

knowledge abroad. ❏<br />

This article was submitted by IE Singapore.<br />

2 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007


Water Sustainability<br />

While reams of newsprint have been devoted already to the Mumbai, India authorities’ efforts to clean up the Mithi<br />

River, the highly developed city-state of Singapore is putting together a high-level plan to market its waste-water<br />

technology globally. Singapore’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has recently set up the<br />

Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) to spearhead the growth of the environmental and water<br />

industry in Singapore. The government plans to develop Singapore as a global hub for environment and water for<br />

business, investment, research and technology.<br />

SINGAPORE targets to grow value-added contribution from the water sector from $0.5<br />

billion (0.3% of GDP) in 2003 to $1.7 billion (0.6% of GDP) by 2015. Jobs for this sector are<br />

expected to double to about 11,000 in 2015 with a large part of the growth in professional and<br />

skilled categories. According to the MEWR’s website EWI, the on-going efforts of other<br />

governmental agencies such as EDB; IE Singapore; the Agency for Science, Technology &<br />

Research; National Environment Agency (NEA); Nanyang Technological University (NTU);<br />

and National University of Singapore (NUS) will:<br />

• Attract more companies to locate their operations in Singapore<br />

• Help local companies to grow<br />

• Encourage more companies and research institutes to develop cutting-edge water<br />

technology and<br />

• Further export Singapore’s capabilities to growing markets, especially in the Middle East<br />

and China<br />

Potential for Growth<br />

With the growing global emphasis on water and the environment, Singapore is well<br />

placed to take the lead in this industry as an R&D base, and also as a provider of water<br />

solutions. To meet the country’s water challenges, Singapore has been investing heavily<br />

in water-related research and technology for the last four decades, and it has developed<br />

excellent capabilities in the field of water management. With the development of major<br />

national water projects such as NEWater, the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and Marina<br />

Barrage, Singapore has turned its vulnerability in terms of water into a strength; this has<br />

resulted in a thriving water industry eco-system with more than 50 international and<br />

local companies in existence.<br />

Clean Land<br />

In Singapore, the waste disposed goes into incineration plants or into landfills. If the<br />

current volume of waste keeps increasing, Singapore will need to build large incineration<br />

plants and find new places for landfills. In land-scarce Singapore, where land is required<br />

for schools, houses and other uses, this is not a sustainable option. To address this issue,<br />

the strategies of volume-reduction by incineration, waste recycling, reducing land-filled<br />

waste, and waste minimisation have been identified. Currently, about 90% of the waste<br />

is incinerated, while the remaining non-incinerable waste is land-filled. However, the<br />

demand for land-fill is still too high. Hence, there is a need for recycling efforts (like the<br />

National Recycling Programme introduced in 2001), and a need for trying to find useful<br />

applications for incineration ash. It is also important for consumers and producers to<br />

minimise the amount of waste generated.<br />

Solid Waste Management<br />

With limited resources available for waste disposal, the National Environment Agency’s<br />

(NEA) policy for waste management necessitates the incineration of all incinerable waste<br />

that is not recovered, reused or recycled. Non-incinerable waste such as concrete slabs, bulky<br />

waste materials and incineration ashes are disposed of at the offshore Semakau Land-fill.<br />

Core Strategies for Sustainability<br />

• Minimise waste through reducing, reusing and recycling to ensure long term sustainability<br />

• Towards zero landfill<br />

• Develop the recycling industry and position Singapore as a centre for recycling technology<br />

in the region<br />

Clean Water<br />

Water is a scarce and precious resource because as a small island city-state with<br />

an increasing demand for water, Singapore has to make every drop count.<br />

Rainwater that falls within the catchments areas is collected in reservoirs. Today,<br />

about half the area of Singapore is being utilised as catchments for rainwater<br />

collection. With plans to build more reservoirs, drains and canals, the local<br />

catchments will be expanded to about two-thirds of the island. Even as we increase<br />

sources, it is also important to keep water demand low.<br />

Core Strategies for Water Sustainability<br />

• Enhance robustness and resilience of water supply sources<br />

• Develop effective water-demand management strategies<br />

• Build up a vibrant water industry<br />

• Encourage greater private sector participation<br />

• Study and explore alternative policies, technologies and strategies to ensure<br />

long-term sustainability of Singapore’s water supply<br />

Public Health<br />

Singapore’s public health record is enviable. The country is respected<br />

internationally for its high standard of public health. It is one of only two<br />

Southeast Asian countries recognised by the World Health Organisation as<br />

having eradicated malaria (the other country is Brunei Darussalam). Cases<br />

of serious food-related illnesses, such as cholera and typhoid fever, which<br />

usually result from poor sanitation and low food hygiene standards, have<br />

been kept at a minimum. In 2003, there was only one local case of cholera<br />

and three cases of typhoid. This is no mean feat as Singapore is an ‘open<br />

city’, situated in a region that is endemic for various tropical diseases such as<br />

dengue fever and malaria.<br />

With so many people, ships, vehicles and aircraft coming and going across<br />

Singapore’s borders each day, and with the increasing numbers of new and<br />

mutated viruses in circulation, the country maintains its vigilance to prevent<br />

major outbreaks of known and potential diseases. Its high health standard has<br />

been achieved with the co-operation of the wider community and the country’s<br />

private sector.<br />

This article was contributed by IE Singapore.<br />

Water treatment facility<br />

<strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007 3


Three Southeast-Asian<br />

Public Railway Systems<br />

Tanvir Orakzai compares three Southeast-Asian public railway systems: Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok in<br />

terms of common construction techniques and utilisation features, and also outlines specific architecture aspects<br />

each rail systems’ MRT stations.<br />

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is a transportation system<br />

designed to move large numbers of people in urban<br />

environments. The modern transit is an outgrowth of<br />

industrialisation and urbanisation. One of the most<br />

important modes of mass transit is via subway and<br />

surface-rail systems designed to commute between<br />

urban and suburban locations. The mass transit system<br />

works on a ‘fixed route’ system with<br />

little obstruction from conventional<br />

road traffic; the result is a gigantic<br />

people-moving machine that is the life<br />

blood of large modern cities. However,<br />

MRTs are not just about moving people,<br />

but they are used most by daily<br />

commuters.<br />

SINGAPORE’S MRT SYSTEM<br />

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit<br />

(MRT) is a public rail system that forms<br />

the backbone of the Singapore’s<br />

commuter network. The origin of<br />

Singapore’s MRT System<br />

Quick Facts: Singapore MRT<br />

Singapore Rapid transit began<br />

operation 7 November 1987<br />

System length: 109.4 km<br />

No. of Lines: 3<br />

No. of stations: 64<br />

Daily commuters: approx.<br />

1.338 million (2005)<br />

Track gauge: 1435 mm<br />

(standard gauge)<br />

Operator: SMRT Corporation,<br />

SBS Transit<br />

Singapore’s MRT can be traced back to 1967 when city<br />

planners desired to have a public rail system to lessen<br />

traffic congestion in the small city-state. By 1987, the<br />

North-South Line (NS) consisting of five MRT stations<br />

started operation. In March 1988, 15 additional stations<br />

were added to the new system. The initial section of<br />

the MRT was opened in 1987, but the project was<br />

completed in 1990. In 2005, the average<br />

daily commuters reach about 1.3<br />

million—a 76% increase compared to<br />

1995. Currently, Singapore MRT has 64<br />

operating stations with a Line 109 km<br />

of track on standard gauges; the total<br />

cost of the Singapore MRT system is<br />

estimated at S$5 billion.<br />

Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit<br />

system has subsequently been<br />

expanded to include the S$1.2 billion<br />

expansion of the North-South Line into<br />

Woodlands in the northern section of<br />

the island, and completing a<br />

continuous loop. The concept of having rail Lines that<br />

bring people almost directly to their homes led to the<br />

introduction of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system<br />

co- existing with and connected to the Mass Rapid<br />

Transit network. On 6 November 1999, the first LRT<br />

trains on the Bukit Panjang Line went into operation.<br />

To promote tourism, the Changi Airport and Expo MRT<br />

stations were built. The North-East (NE) Line, the first<br />

Line operated by SBS Transit, opened on 20 June 2003<br />

and became one of the first fully-automated public rail<br />

Lines in the world.<br />

All MRT stations are either aboveground or<br />

underground, except the Bishan station, which is at<br />

ground level. The underground stations can also serve<br />

as bomb shelters in time of emergency. Every station<br />

has four or more general ticketing machines, a<br />

passenger service centre, along with plasma TV display<br />

units providing travel time and pubic announcements.<br />

Most of Singapore’s MRT stations make available<br />

amenities such as public restrooms, pay telephones,<br />

ticketing machines, self-service automated kiosks<br />

(SAMs) and ATMs. Some of the<br />

MRT stations are located next<br />

to retail shops, supermarkets,<br />

restaurants and banks.<br />

Singapore’s early MRT<br />

stations were designed for<br />

basic functionality which is<br />

evident in the architecture of<br />

the North-South and the<br />

East-West Lines. However,<br />

more recent MRT stations<br />

incorporate a good combination<br />

of functionality and<br />

building aesthetics (e.g., colour<br />

and design). The Expo MRT<br />

station is adjacent to the<br />

100,000 sq.m. Singapore Expo<br />

convention facility. Designed<br />

by Foster and Partners, the<br />

Expo MRT station features a<br />

large pillar-less titanium clad<br />

roof in an elliptical shape that<br />

covers the full length of the<br />

station’s passenger platform.<br />

This complements a smaller<br />

40-metre reflective stainlesssteel<br />

disc overlapping the<br />

titanium ellipse that visually<br />

floats over a glass elevator<br />

shaft.<br />

At the Chinatown MRT<br />

station, traditional Chinese<br />

calligraphy is integrated into<br />

● See page 5<br />

4 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007


Transportation<br />

● From page 4<br />

the floor design of the station. Some MRT stations have<br />

artists’ paintings and sculptures that represent images<br />

of past and present Singapore. The Woodlands MRT<br />

extension has introduced bold pieces of art such as<br />

hanging mobile sculptures. The North-East Line has a<br />

programme entitled “The Art In Transit” that portrays<br />

the works of 19 local artists which are integrated into<br />

the MRT buildings’ architecture.<br />

Quick Facts: Hong Kong<br />

MTR<br />

Began operation September 30,<br />

1979<br />

System length: 91.0 km or 56.5<br />

miles<br />

No. of Lines: 7<br />

No. of stations: 53<br />

Daily commuters: approx. 2.5<br />

million (July 2006)<br />

Track gauge: 1432 mm (near<br />

standard gauge)<br />

HONG KONG’S MTR<br />

SYSTEM<br />

During the 1960s, the Hong<br />

Kong government had to<br />

accommodate increasing<br />

vehicular and pedestrian<br />

traffic of the city due to rapid<br />

economic growth. British<br />

consultants Freeman Fox and<br />

Wilbur Smith Associates were<br />

employed to study the<br />

transport system of Hong<br />

Kong and to suggest ways to<br />

improve it. The study released<br />

by the consultants in 1967 proposed the construction of<br />

mass transit railway (MTR) system in Hong Kong. By<br />

1970s, an underground network of four Lines were laid<br />

out; in addition, Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line,<br />

Island Line and East Kowloon Line were added later at<br />

a total cost of HK$4.1 billion.<br />

The Hong Kong MTR stations have similar design<br />

and available public facilities to Singapore’s MRT<br />

stations. Even though Hong Kong MTR stations are built<br />

for standard public functionality, the public rail stations<br />

are disabled-friendly. For example, there are dedicated<br />

spaces for people using wheel-chairs and for blind<br />

people via big entry and exit gates. Singapore MRT<br />

stations have many disabled-friendly facilities also and<br />

have clean toilets. The public toilets found at Hong<br />

Kong MTR stations are often not as hygienic.<br />

Hong Kong’s older MTR stations were functional<br />

edifices rather than aesthetically-satisfying buildings.<br />

In 1988, the Hong Kong government decided to change<br />

its policy by initiating the campaign ‘Art in MTR’. The<br />

MTR Corporation worked to make art a part of the MTR<br />

station architecture, especially in Hong Kong’s new<br />

MTR stations. Other than displaying artwork inside<br />

the large MTR stations, there have also been live<br />

performances and art exhibitions which make these<br />

MTR stations livelier places to frequent. The stations’<br />

halls are spacious and can accommodate big crowds<br />

of passengers and visitors. In some new Hong Kong<br />

MTR stations, the buildings’ architecture is very<br />

artistic; oftentimes, older stations are renovated<br />

utilising smaller works of art to make them more<br />

attractive places.<br />

The strategy of incorporating artistic elements into<br />

public railway facilities is meant to make the journey<br />

Bangkok’s ‘Skytrain’<br />

Hong Kong’s MTR System<br />

to and from their offices a pleasant experience for daily<br />

commuters.<br />

Hong Kong’s MTR has also built special stations for<br />

Disneyland Resort’s Sunny Bay Station and Disneyland<br />

Resort Station. The Disneyland Resort Station<br />

has a combined concourse and platform in the<br />

form of an open landscaped arena. Both of<br />

these public rail stations have Disney-themed<br />

trains, exclusively designed for Disney Land<br />

Park. A similar project is underway in<br />

Singapore for the planned Sentosa Island<br />

Integrated Resort in Singapore.<br />

BANGKOK’S MTS SYSTEM<br />

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (MTS) or<br />

‘Skytrain’ is an elevated metropolitan rail<br />

system built at the cost of US$1.8 billion. The<br />

Bangkok public rail network consists of two<br />

Lines: Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line. The<br />

Sukhumvit Line starts from the east at Sukhumvit<br />

Soi 81 and ends at the Mor Chit Bus Terminal in the<br />

north. The Sukhumvit Line is approximately 17 km<br />

in length and consists of 17 stations, including one<br />

common interchange station (Central Station). The<br />

Sukhumvit Line makes<br />

structural provisions for<br />

construction of one additional<br />

station in the future. The<br />

Silom Line is approximately<br />

6.5 km in length with seven<br />

stations, including the<br />

common interchange station.<br />

The total length of the track is<br />

about 23 km which is very<br />

short compared to Hong Kong<br />

and Singapore rail route.<br />

Every station consists of two<br />

levels consisting of a lower<br />

concourse with the ticketing<br />

service and entry gates that lead to a sheltered, train<br />

platform on an upper level.<br />

The purpose of the MTS project was to overcome<br />

the traffic congestion, and the design of the Bangkok<br />

MTS was based on the Vancouver SkyTrain in<br />

Canada. However, the Bangkok SkyTrain is unable<br />

to accommodate as many commuters as planned.<br />

Since 2005, passenger figures have reached 500,000—<br />

lower than Singapore’s and Hong Kong’s public rail<br />

commuter numbers. All the passenger stations of the<br />

Bangkok SkyTrain are elevated unlike Singapore and<br />

Hong Kong stations. The platforms are built to<br />

accommodate trains of six cars, but trains of only<br />

three cars are in operation. The first elevated level<br />

of the stations is accessed via stairs and escalators<br />

that contain ticket booths and kiosk-like shops<br />

similar to some Singapore MRT stations. A majority<br />

of the SkyTrain stations are built with side platforms<br />

that allow easy access to wheelchair-bound<br />

passengers entering from the streets. Unlike<br />

Singapore, security personnel are deployed<br />

throughout the SkyTrain stations at all times.<br />

Even though Bangkok MTS stations have basic<br />

amenities, such as newsstands, small shops, cafés,<br />

banking services and ATMs, the stations themselves<br />

lack many aesthetically pleasing aspects. The<br />

Bangkok MTS incorporates short rail routes that<br />

makes it less popular than taking other forms of<br />

public transportation, such as taxis, buses or tuk-tuks.<br />

Furthermore, the high cost of the SkyTrain project<br />

(US$1.8 billion) has led to higher fares and lower<br />

passenger rates. These problems can be overcome<br />

because there are plans to extend the public rail<br />

system to all major areas of Bangkok, but given<br />

Thailand’s past record of slow infrastructure<br />

development, it may take awhile before extensions<br />

to the Bangkok MTS are completed. ❏<br />

Quick Facts: Bangkok MTS<br />

Bangkok MTS/BTS became<br />

operational in 1999<br />

No. of station: 23<br />

No. of Lines: 2<br />

System length: 23 km<br />

Daily commuters: 500,000<br />

Operator: BTS<br />

<strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007 5


Transportation<br />

The Advantages of Steel Fibre<br />

Reinforced Concrete (SFRC)<br />

The addition of steel fibres to concrete is an important step in research towards improving its properties. The<br />

areas of potential use are expanding. For example, steel fibres not only offer a solution for the low-tensile<br />

strength of concrete but give pseudo-ductile properties to brittle concrete. Finally, the steel fibres provide good<br />

energy-absorption which, in turn, offers a technical solution to certain specific loading conditions.<br />

FIBRE reinforced concrete is a composite material<br />

whose bearing strength is determined by the<br />

combination of its two constituent parts: the concrete<br />

and the fibres.<br />

P c<br />

= P m<br />

+ P f<br />

This assumes there is a close interaction between the<br />

two materials. Where a load is applied, this results in a<br />

deformation. Depending on the composite’s state of<br />

deformation of the composite, this interaction is<br />

governed by (1) the ratio between the elasticity moduli<br />

(n = E f<br />

/E m<br />

), (2) the transmission of the stress from the<br />

concrete to the fibres, and (3) the uniformity of<br />

distribution of the fibres.<br />

Steel fibres with hooked ends maximise these<br />

interaction fibres because the use of high-tensile drawn<br />

steel wire and the anchored hooked ends of the fibres,<br />

which make it possible to use the whole length of fibre<br />

to transmit the maximum amount of force and to<br />

prevent any splitting force from being exerted on the<br />

concrete. Furthermore, a uniform distribution of fibres<br />

in the concrete is obtained via the easy handling quality<br />

of steel fibre bundles.<br />

Reinforcement with steel fibres only show its full<br />

value in the post-elastic deformation phase. The sudden<br />

brittle failure of reinforced concrete is transformed into<br />

slow, controlled crack propagation under the influences<br />

of forces such as compression, tension, flexure, shear,<br />

shrinkage and creep. The intrinsic qualities of using<br />

steel fibres are fully revealed when they span hairline<br />

cracks in the concrete and absorb the tensile forces<br />

present. This process is related to the fibres’ hooks<br />

which are fixed in the concrete and continues until a<br />

high maximum pulling-out force is reached. To avoid<br />

sudden failure of the concrete, the quality of the steel is<br />

selected so that the breaking strength of the fibres is<br />

only exceeded in exceptional cases.<br />

In the case of further loading, the width of the crack<br />

will increase due to the pulling-out of the fibre as the<br />

hooks of the fibre undergo plastic deformation. This<br />

plastic deformation under high tensile stresses is one<br />

of the principle characteristics of steel fibres, and it<br />

allows the steel fibre concrete to achieve a high degree<br />

of toughness (ductility).<br />

As applied to concrete tunnel linings, worldrenowned<br />

expert on the subject of steel fibre reinforced<br />

concrete Mr Ir. Marc Vandewalle stated in a presentation<br />

in Singapore in 2006 sponsored by The Institute of<br />

Engineers Australia that the technical advantages of<br />

using steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) include<br />

homogenous distribution, multidirectional reinforcement,<br />

excellent corrosion resistance, high-impact<br />

resistance and excellent control of shrinkage cracks, thus<br />

allowing for a more cost-effective and environmentallyfriendly<br />

engineering solution than using the standard<br />

reinforcement-cage alternative. ❏<br />

About the Company<br />

BEKAERT began as a small manufacturing<br />

and trading company founded by Leo Leander<br />

Bekaert in 1880 in the city of Zwevegem,<br />

Belgium, which is still home to Bekaert’s head<br />

office. Over the years, the company has grown<br />

into an international wire and wire-related<br />

products company, with manufacturing facilities<br />

in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and<br />

offices all over the world.<br />

Bekaert employs close to 18,000 people<br />

worldwide and has an annual sales volume of<br />

nearly US$3 billion. Because there is still a strong<br />

need for manufactured goods, particularly wire<br />

products, Bekaert is expanding every year with<br />

new products and technology to keep up with<br />

world demand.<br />

As a world leader in advanced metal<br />

transformation and advanced materials and<br />

coatings, Bekaert is also known in the concrete<br />

industry as the manufacturer of premiumquality,<br />

cold-drawn, hooked-end steel fibres<br />

under the trade name Dramix ® which turns<br />

concrete (a normally brittle material) into a<br />

ductile one when added to a concrete mix. ❏<br />

SFRC segmented tunnel linings<br />

6 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007


Putrajaya Perdana Berhad:<br />

Pioneering Malaysia’s<br />

Energy Efficiency (EE)<br />

Developments<br />

Advertorial<br />

PPB Building<br />

LEO Building<br />

INCORPORATED in July 1998 to serve as the corporate vehicle for the joint development of Putrajaya – the new<br />

federal capital known as the ‘Intelligent Garden City’ – Putrajaya Perdana Berhad (PPB) is at Malaysia’s forefront of<br />

energy efficiency (EE) developments. Among its other subsidiaries, Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd. is recognised<br />

for design and build projects, whereas Putra Perdana Development Sdn Bhd. develops premium energy-efficient homes.<br />

PPB’s projects include bridges, ports, international clubs, shopping centres, factories, theme-park resorts, luxury homes<br />

and premium offices.<br />

Amongst PPB’s illustrious projects, three are highlighted: the LEO, ZEO and ST ‘Diamond’ buildings. These three structures<br />

reflect PPB’s capability and commitment to construct EE buildings and Malaysia’s tenacity in making Malaysia an energyefficient<br />

‘green’ country. Of the three projects, PPB is currently constructing the Zero Energy Office for Pusat Tenaga Malaysia<br />

(PTM).<br />

The LEO Building<br />

Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd. in cooperation with the Danish Agency for International Development Assistance<br />

(DANIDA) designed the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications Low-Energy Office (MEWC LEO). As an energyefficient<br />

and low-environmental-impact edifice, the MEWC LEO is designed to meet the criteria of all LEO buildings; namely,<br />

to reduce energy consumption to 135 kWh/m 2 /yr or lower according to the Malaysian Standard MS 1525:2001 Code of<br />

Practice On Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Non-Residential Buildings. MEWC LEO has exceeded the<br />

requirements of MS 1525 and has measured post-occupancy energy index of only 114 kWh/m 2 /yr, that sets a new<br />

benchmark for other EE buildings. For this the MEWC LEO was awarded by the ASEAN Energy Centre the 2006 ASEAN<br />

Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE & C) Best Practices for Energy Efficient Buildings (New and Existing Category). In<br />

comparison, most buildings in Malaysia and around the ASEAN region have energy indices ranging from 200-300 kWh/<br />

m 2 /yr.<br />

ST ‘Diamond’ Building<br />

The proposed ST Diamond Building will be an eight-storey corporate office of Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Malaysia’s Energy<br />

Commission) on Lot 2C15 in Precinct 2, Putrajaya. It will reflect the vision of the Energy Commission as the regulatory<br />

body of the country’s energy resources.<br />

The ST Diamond Building is designed specifically for Malaysia’s hot, humid climate, and the architects’ vision was to<br />

create a structure optimised for energy conservation, not just exhibiting good aesthetic qualities. Its design concept is<br />

based on an integration of disparate disciplines such as science, engineering, information technology, architecture and<br />

economics. As such, the building’s architectural design incorporates novel design ideas via the application of new<br />

technology and modern construction methods. Different engineering systems are integrated and combined in order to<br />

enhance the building’s overall performance. Integrated systems include passive systems (natural lighting, ventilation,<br />

insulation, shading), active systems (air-conditioning, artificial lightings, building automation system) and the building<br />

energy management systems.<br />

The design concept and philosophy of the ST Diamond Building focuses on its environmental context and also its<br />

architectural uniqueness. In terms of design, the building will serve as (a) a landmark for the city, (b) an architectural model<br />

for Malaysia’s hot and humid climate, (c) an example of optimum energy efficiency, (d) a high-quality work place for<br />

employees, (e) a new standard for the country’s Building Energy Index, and (f) a low-maintenance edifice.<br />

EE Luxury Homes<br />

PPB’s subsidiary Putra Perdana Development Sdn Bhd. develops EE luxury homes such as Danau Palma housing estate in<br />

Putrajaya. With impressive scenic views and opulent interiors, these luxurious ‘dream homes’ are very energy efficient. For<br />

example, the residential buildings are equipped with large roof overhangs, thermally-insulated roofs, thermal walls and<br />

low-emissive glass windows to minimise heat transmission from the outside to the buildings’ interiors. Grid-connected<br />

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels are also fitted to generate electricity as individually licensed IPP’s<br />

(Independent Power Producers) to supplement the premises’ own energy consumption.<br />

PPB has also received a number of accolades which include the following from the Construction<br />

Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB): •2003: Excellence Award for Major<br />

Engineering Project for the MEWC LEO • 2002: Builder’s Award for Commercial/Office<br />

Building Project for the Ministry of Finance building in Putrajaya • 2000: Builder’s Award for<br />

Large Scale Project for the Parcel D Government Office Complex in Putrajaya<br />

For more information, please contact:<br />

ST Diamond Building<br />

PTM ZEO Building<br />

No.5, Jalan P16, Precinct 16, 62150 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Tel: (03) 8886-8888; Fax: (03) 8886-8886<br />

Website: www.p-perdana.com Email: info@p-perdana.com


Bitumen: A Growing<br />

Energy Source in Asia<br />

Over the last few years, most countries worldwide<br />

have seen a steady increase in the price of fuel oil<br />

and natural gas for power generation. Coupled<br />

with steep rise in power demand due to<br />

manufacturing needs and urban development, the<br />

need to source for a practical and cheap alternative<br />

fuel (especially in China and India) is a critical<br />

factor towards further development. Failure to do<br />

so may lead to high inflationary economies or a<br />

country’s manufacturing activity may be forced<br />

into decline. Bitumen-based emulsion fuel seems<br />

to be a viable solution to help avoid these<br />

problems.<br />

ORIMULSION is the trade name given to the liquid bitumen-based fuel that was<br />

designed for industrial power plant boilers use. The technology is developed by Intevep,<br />

the research and development affiliate of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Natural bitumen<br />

extracted is emulsified with water at a 7:3 ratio, with a minute amount (less than 1%) of<br />

surfactant added. The resulting product is called Orimulsion. It can be pumped, stored,<br />

transported and handled with relative ease. In addition, it can be used in conventional<br />

power plants to replace fuel oil with some modifications to meet environmental discharge<br />

requirements.<br />

Orimulsion has relatively high amount of sulphur content (2.8%) and generate high<br />

particulates. Therefore, a Flue Gas Desulphurising system (FGD) has to be installed to<br />

remove the sulphur-dioxide from the exhaust flue gas stream. In addition, electrostatic<br />

precipitators (ESP) will be required for removal of the particulates produced by the<br />

combustion of Orimulsion. As a fuel for electricity generation, Orimulsion has a number<br />

of attractive characteristics:<br />

• The known reserves of bitumen are very large;<br />

• It is currently priced to be competitive with internationally traded coal;<br />

• It is easy to ignite and has good combustion characteristics;<br />

Annual consumption of Orimulsion amounts to more than 5 million tons in year<br />

2000. Power plants in Canada, Japan, China, Lithuania and Germany have since switched<br />

Bitumen sand pit<br />

Asphalt is a common bitumen product.<br />

8 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007


Energy<br />

the fuel source to Orimulsion with positive results. Estimated fuel cost saving of an<br />

existing conventional power plant is about 25% (compared to using fuel oil), after<br />

necessary modifications to the base unit to meet environmental discharge limits.<br />

For fast-developing countries, like China (PRC), energy needs and developments<br />

are increasing at very steep rates, so their growth will be dependent on their ability to<br />

cope with ever-increasing electrical demands. In order to satisfy such increasing power<br />

demand, a country such as China (PRC) will need to import vast amounts of relatively<br />

cheap alternative fuel to meet power-generation requirements. Though China has an<br />

abundant supply of coal, the extraction rate could not cope with the raising demand and<br />

safety of the coal mining industry remain as a major concern. Orimulsion seems to be<br />

a viable solution to their energy needs.<br />

However, two recent developments have somehow disrupted the production and<br />

export of Orimulsion. First, the invasion of US army into Iraq and the subsequent<br />

unrest caused the crude oil prices to shoot up beyond US$60 per barrel. It is believed<br />

that the selling price of Orimulsion to the Chinese oil firms is approximately US$200<br />

per ton. This makes Orimulsion, which is pegged to the price of coal, extremely<br />

attractive, and the Venezuelan suppliers are quickly realising that they are subsidising<br />

foreign power generation. Second, the recent internal labour unrest in Venezuela has led<br />

to a major strike in PDVSA. Most of the engineers were fired as punishment, and so<br />

Orimulsion fell out of favour with the key political leaders. As a result, the government<br />

of Venezuela is trying to ‘wind down’ to the Orimulsion programme.<br />

In fact, one of the production sites has already been shut, while the other remaining<br />

site will likely follow suit by the end of December 2007. Most Orimulsion supply<br />

agreement contracts have been terminated, and no new supply contracts of Orimulsion<br />

will be signed. The only exception is the continuation of the supply of the emulsion fuel<br />

to two of China’s (PRC) oil firms. This is due to the strong political ties among China,<br />

Cuba, and Venezuela. The government of Venezuela explains their abrupt action by<br />

indicating that the reserved used for Orimulsion production is actually identified as<br />

‘extra-heavy crude oil’, not bitumen. Hence, it is not deemed a ‘precious reserve’. In the<br />

coming years, it is not expected that the use of Orimulsion in Asia will re-surface,<br />

unless there will be moderate adjustment to the pricing of the bitumen-based emulsion<br />

fuel and the labour relationship between PDVSA and the government has improved.<br />

Multiphase Superfine Atomised Residue (MSAR)<br />

MSAR is a new stable oil-in-water emulsion fuel system developed by Akzo Nobel<br />

Surface Chemistry AB of Sweden. MSAR has only less than two years of marketing<br />

history, and it is not clear if there are confirmed customers outside Canada yet. This<br />

product is protected by license agreements and patents held by Akzo Nobel and Colt<br />

Technologies Inc. of Canada. Quadrise Canada has the exclusive rights for the use of<br />

MSAR emulsion fuel technology in Canada.<br />

The composition, stability and burning efficiency of MSAR are very similar to that<br />

of Orimulsion. Both are expected to be practical and cost-effective alternative fuels<br />

based on bitumen to replace fuel oil and natural gas. Both required FGD facilities to<br />

remove the sulphur oxides formed when burning. However, MSAR technology offers<br />

two major differences of production and operation aspects compared to Orimulsion.<br />

Two advantages of using MSAR over Orimulsion include:<br />

• The fuel can be customised from various feed stock, ranging from bitumen to heavy<br />

hydrocarbons, offering an ideal disposal method for refinery heavy residue.<br />

• It is manufactured on site, thereby avoiding transportation risks involved in shipping<br />

the emulsion fuel to end users’ locations.<br />

Basically the MSAR process involved setting up a compact production module at<br />

customers’ site to generate the emulsion fuel via mixing local bitumen feed, water and<br />

Petroleum distillation towers<br />

surfactant. The product can then be stored away for power generation later. In the<br />

MSAR process, the heavy oil residue / bitumen particles are milled to approximately<br />

3 - 5 microns in diameter. This is somewhat smaller than the typical atomised droplets of<br />

50 microns in fuel oil. It is also smaller to those produced in Orimulsion technology.<br />

Currently, Quadrise Canada is marketing MSAR with an added advantage to potential<br />

customers, and identifying security in supply is a consideration that must be pondered<br />

when selecting bitumen-based emulsion fuels.<br />

While this new option of bitumen-based fuels may not solve the availability of energysource<br />

problems, it does look attractive for countries that operate huge refineries and<br />

already have experience handling heavy residue and also have on-site FGD facilities. It<br />

is no surprise that two state-owned refineries in India are believed to be interested in<br />

such a model to reduce fuel cost. For the smaller power stations, this technology may<br />

prove to offer no advantages due to the lack of adequate economical supply of bitumen/<br />

heavy residue, or the savings may not be attractive compared to the required initial<br />

capital investment.<br />

Summary<br />

Orimulsion production and sales to China and Japan was gaining very strong<br />

momentum in since early 2000. However, this program was halted abruptly elsewhere,<br />

and China is currently the only customer that will have the supply agreement contract<br />

honoured till end 2007. The continued supply of Orimulsion looks unlikely unless the<br />

price is adjusted to reflect its true value currently. MSAR is another option for big<br />

refineries in Asia. It is manufactured on-site and does not have as many supply or<br />

transportation problems and restrictions. However, this technology is costly at initial<br />

stages as a process hardware unit (capital investment) is required to be installed before<br />

benefits can be realised. Indian refineries are keen on taking up such options because of<br />

the advantage via economy-of-scale.<br />

The use of bitumen as alternate energy source in Asia has begun, and its usage will<br />

definitely grow as it provides an option to fight increasing fuel costs. As it turns out, the<br />

most-likely users willing to make the switch are also the biggest fuel consumers. ❏<br />

This article was submitted by Mr. Goh Hong Hoo, Senior Lecturer, Nangyang Polytechnic, School<br />

of Chemical and Life Sciences who is an expert in bitumen and petroleum-related products.<br />

A Bit About Bitumen<br />

NATURAL Bitumen is a mixture of organic liquids that consists of very large<br />

hydrocarbon molecules, mainly comprising of multiple cyclic aromatics. It is<br />

black, highly viscous and sticky. In other words, it is basically thick oil that does<br />

not flow at moderate temperatures or cannot be pumped without being heated<br />

or diluted. Many geologists believe that the natural bitumen deposits are formed<br />

from the remains of ancient, microscopic algae and other prehistoric once-living<br />

plants. These organisms died, and their remains were deposited in the mud on<br />

the bottom of oceans or lakes where they once thrived. Under the pressure and<br />

heat of burial deep in the earth, the remains were transformed over time into<br />

crude petroleum materials and bitumen.<br />

Geographically, bitumen is found throughout the world. The greatest<br />

potential resources are identified mainly in Venezuela, Canada and Russia.<br />

However, the actual available sources could be much larger. It is believed that<br />

many possible bitumen deposit occurring locations are not documented, unless<br />

they can meet economical extraction/market conditions. Hence, it will not be a<br />

surprise if more bitumen / heavy oils reserves are declared later. The bitumen<br />

deposits in Orinoco Oil Belt, a part of the Eastern Venezuela basin, represent<br />

nearly 50% of the world documented and extractable bitumen reserves at 1.2<br />

trillion barrels. In Alberta, Canada natural bitumen deposits represent up to about<br />

35% of the world reserves. Logically, these two countries have the most active<br />

research programmes to extract bitumen, and they also to make full use of their<br />

reserves potential.<br />

Bitumen is primarily used for paving roads. Other conventional uses include<br />

general waterproofing products (including boats), roofing felt and for sealing<br />

flat roofs. Bitumen emulsions are two-phase systems consisting of bitumen, water<br />

and one or more additives to assist in the formation and stabilisation of the<br />

emulsion. Such emulsions help to avoid the requirement of heating since they<br />

are ready to use products. As a result, there is less atmosphere pollution and less<br />

heating energy used for laying and maintenance of roads. Recent technological<br />

development also allow bitumen emulsions to be used as a commercial boiler<br />

fuel in power plants in Canada, China, Japan and Germany. Such bitumen-based<br />

fuel is formed via mixing bitumen with fresh water and an alcohol-based<br />

surfactant. The resulting mixture has properties very similar to the conventional<br />

fuel oil or natural gas, thus making it easier to be transported and combusting<br />

fully in air.<br />

Raw bitumen has proportionally more carbon atoms than hydrogen atoms.<br />

Elemental analysis of bitumen shows that most contain 82 to 88% Carbon; 8 to<br />

11% hydrogen; 1 to 6% sulphur and 0 to 2 % of oxygen and nitrogen. This heavy<br />

carbon weightage property makes bitumen having a tendency to generate heavy<br />

particulates in the effluent when burned. Bitumen may be waxy, and also contains<br />

several heavy metals such as vanadium, nickel, chromium, mercury, lead and<br />

arsenic, selenium and other toxic elements. It is whole soluble in carbon disulfide.<br />

The chemical composition of bitumen is extremely complex. A complete analysis<br />

of bitumen would be very laborious and also impractical, if not possible. In<br />

general, however, it is possible to separate bitumen into saturates, aromatics and<br />

resins.<br />

Bitumen is also produced in bottom-residue fraction of the fractional<br />

distillation of crude oil in the refineries. It appears as the heaviest fraction and<br />

with the highest boiling point. From the properties described above, it is not<br />

difficult to imagine that there will be an array of problems compared to other<br />

petroleum-based energy sources with respect to exploitation, transportation,<br />

storage and refining of bitumen. This is reflected in the relatively high cost<br />

involved in extraction and processing bitumen, as well as the physical limitations<br />

of production capacity. ❏<br />

<strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007 9


Energy<br />

MBIPV: Malaysia Building<br />

Integrated Photovoltaics<br />

WITH the Malaysian economy out of the economic downturn of 1997-2000<br />

that hit the ASEAN region, coupled with an optimistic medium-term outlook<br />

of the Malaysian economy, future demand for electricity is expected to increase<br />

significantly. In future, demand is forecasted to grow at an average rate of 6<br />

to 8% per annum. System peak demand is forecasted to increase from 10 GW<br />

in 2000 to 15 GW in 2005 and 22 GW in 2010 for the peninsula. A total of 10<br />

GW of new generation capacity will be planted up and commissioned between<br />

2003 until the year 2010, 6 GW will be coal fired power plants and the<br />

remaining 4 GW will be natural gas-fired power plants. This additional coal<br />

and gas-fired generators (10 GW in total) will emit from 2010, additional 34<br />

million tons CO 2<br />

(coal) and 8 million tons CO 2<br />

(gas) per year. This will lead to<br />

a tremendous increase in GHG emissions, thus causing more serious problem<br />

to the global environment.<br />

To mitigate the problem, Malaysia is increasing its efforts to promote<br />

renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially in buildings. Malaysia has<br />

one of the fastest growing building industries<br />

worldwide, where the corresponding energy<br />

demand would significantly increase in the next<br />

coming years. Conducive conditions such as<br />

forecast increase in electricity demand, available<br />

building spaces and the huge untapped solar<br />

energy potential point clearly towards an<br />

implementation of the BIPV (Building Integrated<br />

Photovoltaic) technology in Malaysia. Considering<br />

the synergies and benefits of BIPV application, the<br />

technology will have an important and sustainable<br />

impact to the buildings market and is able to<br />

substitute part of the conventional fossil-fired<br />

electricity generators.<br />

There is a growing awareness and concern in<br />

the supply of energy particularly on the issue of<br />

carbon emissions and global warming. Under the<br />

Third Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3), the<br />

government is undertaking efforts to manage both<br />

non-renewable and renewable energy (RE)<br />

resources to cater for the demand of the rapidly<br />

growing economy. Furthermore, to supplement the<br />

conventional supply of energy, new sources of<br />

energy such as renewable energy (RE) are being<br />

encouraged. Thus, the OPP3 has adopted RE as Photovoltaic Architecture<br />

Malaysia’s fifth fuel resource, in addition to oil,<br />

gas, coal and hydro-power.<br />

The baseline scenario shows that currently, biomass is being actively<br />

developed as RE resource due to its availability. Other RE resource such as<br />

solar energy, in general, and solar energy applications like grid-connected<br />

BIPV, in particular, has remained in the sidelines mainly due to its relatively<br />

high cost. In the case of grid-connected BIPV, there is a perception that the<br />

technology is ‘exotic’ and ‘unproven’ in Malaysia. Initial assessment indicated<br />

that the current business environment does not support widespread adoption<br />

of grid-connected BIPV technology as a commercially viable RE technology<br />

in Malaysia, despite the fact that the BIPV performance is better and the<br />

absolute energy cost is lower that those systems installed in Europe and Japan.<br />

Due to the present high initial price and lack of the enabling environment,<br />

the economics of the BIPV technology is unattractive. However, the technology<br />

price can only be reduced when there is a sustainable BIPV market.<br />

Unfortunately, a sustainable market cannot be established for as long as the<br />

economics of the technology is unfavorable. Thus, it is a ‘chicken and egg’<br />

situation.<br />

Without appropriate activities in the<br />

establishment of an enabling environment for BIPV<br />

– both for the public and private sectors – the<br />

current state-of-affairs will undoubtedly lead to<br />

uncoordinated efforts, characterised by no<br />

improvement in quality issues, policy and<br />

institutional deficiencies, inadequate investment in<br />

improving the technical skills and no cost<br />

reduction for the technology. A sustainable market<br />

and thus cost reduction achieved through<br />

improvement of technical skills, better<br />

procurement and lower transaction costs, scale of<br />

volume and local manufacturing cannot be<br />

established without the appropriate activities.<br />

Project Rationale, Objective, Outputs<br />

and Activities<br />

The Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic<br />

(BIPV) Technology Application Project, MBIPV, is<br />

intended to induce the long-term cost reduction of<br />

the non-emitting GHG technology (i.e. the<br />

Net-Metering<br />

photovoltaic or PV) via integration of the PV technology within building designs<br />

and envelopes. It is aimed at creating a sustainable BIPV market in Malaysia<br />

that will generate widespread BIPV applications. Over the lifetime of the expected<br />

installed BIPV capacity from the project, the energy generated will avoid 65,100<br />

tons of CO 2<br />

emissions from the country’s power sector, in addition to contributing<br />

towards the national energy policy objectives.<br />

The MBIPV project will specifically focus on the market development for BIPV<br />

technology, and building the national capacities on three major areas: (a) policy<br />

and education; (b) technical skill and market implementation; (c) technology<br />

development support. The project will catalyse BIPV technology acceptance<br />

among the public, policy makers, financiers and building industry, which will<br />

lead towards a sustainable BIPV market beyond the completion of the project.<br />

The project objectives will be achieved via a multi-pronged approach: (1) BIPV<br />

information services, awareness and capacity building programs; (2) BIPV market<br />

enhancement and infrastructure development; (3) BIPV policies and financing<br />

mechanisms program; (4) BIPV Industry<br />

Development and R&D enhancement program.<br />

Key Indicators, Assumption and Risks<br />

The project’s key success indicators are: (1) Total<br />

GHG emissions avoided from the power sector is<br />

about 65,100 tons CO 2<br />

over the lifetime of the<br />

installed BIPV capacity by the year 2010, relative to<br />

the baseline in the year 2005; (2) Increased installed<br />

BIPV capacity by about 330% over the project<br />

implementation period, resulting from 1.5 MWp of<br />

new BIPV capacity by the year 2010; (3) Reduced cost<br />

of BIPV technology by about 20% by the year 2010,<br />

relative to the baseline in the year 2005; (4) About<br />

30% annual growth of BIPV capacity and average 30%<br />

BIPV cost reduction, from year 2010 to 2020, made<br />

possible by the integration and implementation of<br />

National BIPV programs in the 10 th Malaysia Plan<br />

(2011-2015).<br />

The major assumptions in achieving the project<br />

goal and purpose are: (1) International BIPV markets<br />

and industries grow according to business as usual;<br />

(2) The owners of the BIPV installations comply with<br />

the monitoring and reporting requirements of the<br />

project; (3) Estimation of GHG emissions reduction<br />

from various sources are consistent and reliable; (4)<br />

Strong interest, support and commitment from the Government and industry.<br />

The overall project risk is moderate. The different levels of risks that were<br />

identified during the project formulation are as follows: (1) Lack of competency,<br />

awareness and interest from the government sector – moderate risk; (2) Lack of<br />

cooperation by the private sector – moderate risk; (3) Technology risk – low risk;<br />

(4) Market risk – moderate risk. In terms of country eligibility, Malaysia has<br />

ratified the UNFCCC on 13 July 1994.<br />

The Third Outline Perspective Plan (OPP3) and the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8 th<br />

MP) are the two main policy references for the promotion and development of<br />

renewable energy (RE) in Malaysia. The main thrusts of OPP3 are: (a) To ensure<br />

adequate, secure, quality and cost-effective supply of energy; (b) To promote<br />

efficient energy utilisation and minimise negative impacts on the environment;<br />

(c) To encourage utilisation of renewable energy (RE) to supplement the<br />

conventional energy supply. The Fifth Fuel Policy introduced in the year 2000<br />

under the 8 th MP, identified RE as Malaysia’s fifth fuel in addition to gas, oil,<br />

coal and hydro. The Malaysian Government has also set a target to achieve 5%<br />

of the national electricity production (about 600 MW)<br />

from RE by 2005. The UNDP-GEF supported MIEEIP<br />

and Biogen projects are clear manifestations of<br />

Malaysia’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions<br />

from energy-related development and economic<br />

activities.<br />

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) provides<br />

opportunity to utilise RE in urban areas where the<br />

bulk of the nation’s electricity is consumed. BIPV<br />

involves integration of PV systems into building<br />

envelopes and also promotes demand-side<br />

management. BIPV can technically generate 11 GWp<br />

of electricity, based on the available roof spaces from<br />

the Malaysia’s residential and commercial building<br />

sectors. This technical potential capacity could<br />

produce more than 12,000 GWh of peak electricity<br />

and cover 20% of the current national electricity<br />

demand. As part of the RE development under the<br />

Fifth Fuel Policy, the Ministry of Energy,<br />

Communications and Multimedia (MECM)<br />

recognises the long-term potential of solar energy,<br />

especially for PV in buildings, which will require<br />

10 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007


Energy<br />

different institutional supports in comparison to the<br />

Biomass application. The GOM, through the MECM<br />

is committed to implement the MBIPV project with<br />

the support and assistance from the GEF in order<br />

to realize this long-term solar energy potential in<br />

Malaysia.<br />

A PV system, either a stand-alone or a gridconnected,<br />

is classified as a BIPV system whenever<br />

the PV is aesthetically integrated into the building<br />

architecture and envelope. Most of the BIPV<br />

applications today are grid-connected systems that<br />

are applied in urban areas. The stand-alone PV is a<br />

system installation that requires a battery to operate<br />

and is mostly applied in remote areas. A standalone<br />

PV only produces electricity for the intended<br />

use (e.g., household electricity consumption,<br />

telecommunication systems and navigational<br />

systems).<br />

A building integrated PV (BIPV) system will not<br />

only produce electricity, but will also be an integral<br />

part of the building envelope, with a specific<br />

function (e.g. window shading device, roof,<br />

decorative building façade). Hence, the substituted<br />

building materials will partially offset the BIPV<br />

technology cost. Also, land space for the technology<br />

application will not be an issue. BIPV systems, in<br />

almost all cases, will also improve the aesthetic<br />

exterior appearance of the building.<br />

The most important benefits of BIPV, especially<br />

in urban areas, will be the opportunity to utilize<br />

PV technology without the need of land-use. As the Solar Panels on Residential Building<br />

cost of land is significant in urban areas, BIPV will<br />

allow the utilization of PV technology to generate electricity without incurring<br />

the additional cost of the land-use.<br />

BIPV is a different technology approach compared to a stand-alone PV<br />

application. It is well accepted among the PV industry that BIPV offers greater<br />

benefits in comparison to stand-alone PV application. A sustainable BIPV market<br />

means that the prospective users of the technology can afford and will continue<br />

to apply the technology. Such customers are available in the urban areas. Thus,<br />

urban BIPV application will provide greater chances of success in comparison to<br />

stand-alone PV, which are mainly applied in remote locations.<br />

The MBIPV project will catalyse the wider adoption of grid-connected BIPV<br />

applications. The project strategies focus on implementation of cost-reduction<br />

and capacity building activities, which include showcases of BIPV to demonstrate<br />

various possibilities and essential references in utilising BIPV technology. In<br />

parallel, information dissemination and promotion activities will be carried out.<br />

The various project components are designed specifically to achieve the longterm<br />

cost reduction of grid-connected BIPV applications in Malaysia. The<br />

activities are intended to build on the existing capacity already available in<br />

Malaysia. The combined effects of the MBIPV project activities are expected to<br />

‘jump-start’ BIPV applications and BIPV market in Malaysia.<br />

The goal of the project is to reduce the annual growth rate of GHG emissions<br />

from fossil fuel-fired power generators, via the widespread implementation of<br />

BIPV application to replace part of the current fossil fuel use, and via the cost<br />

reduction of the BIPV technology. The project purpose is to significantly improve<br />

the overall capacity of government and private sectors, to develop, design and<br />

utilise BIPV energy potential, as well as to develop local BIPV industry. It will<br />

address the GEF strategic priority on market aggregation, product innovation<br />

and capacity building specifically for<br />

BIPV technology. The proposed project<br />

is made up of four components that will<br />

address in an integrated manner the<br />

long-term cost reduction of BIPV<br />

technology, and the adoption of<br />

supportive regulatory frameworks for<br />

BIPV sustainability and replicability.<br />

Financial Modality and Cost<br />

Effectiveness<br />

Sustainability is an integral element of<br />

the MBIPV project, and it is ensured<br />

through the outputs of the project<br />

components. The National PV Council<br />

(NPVC), which will be industry driven,<br />

will continue to spearhead and sustain<br />

the activities after the project life. The<br />

Malaysia Energy Center (PTM), as the<br />

government’s think-tank on energy<br />

related issues, will become the advocate<br />

and catalyst for BIPV development<br />

within the national framework. The<br />

improved capacity of the local industry<br />

– together with the availability of<br />

standards, training modules and<br />

resource center – will ensure that the<br />

local players can continue to design and<br />

install BIPV systems. The developed<br />

BIPV policy and financing mechanisms<br />

(including an attractive buyback tariff)<br />

will ensure continuous and sustainable<br />

follow-up BIPV programs within the<br />

10th Malaysia Plan and subsequent five-<br />

year development plans of the country.<br />

During the PDF-B project activities, a large<br />

number of stakeholders have been consulted in<br />

the formulation of the project. Overall, more<br />

than 120 different stakeholders were involved<br />

during the LFA workshops, in addition to<br />

numerous stakeholders’ meetings and<br />

participation of more than 220 participants<br />

during the national BIPV seminar. These<br />

stakeholders include government agencies,<br />

financial institutions, power utilities, service<br />

providers, PV manufacturers, project<br />

developers, architects, professionals<br />

associations, NGOs and others. To continue with<br />

this broad consulting approach, the MBIPV<br />

project will draw upon the NPVC to induce<br />

participation and represent those stakeholders,<br />

as well as providing links to other national and<br />

international institutions.<br />

Excluding the PDF-B activities, the total<br />

estimated MBIPV project cost is US$ 24,959,160.<br />

From this, a total of US$ 20,259,740 (51% cash<br />

and 30% in-kind) will be used for baseline<br />

activities. The rest (US$ 4,699,420) are for the<br />

incremental activities that will be supported by<br />

the GEF. The Government of Malaysia and the<br />

private sector (national and international) will<br />

co-finance the baseline cost.<br />

The US$ 4,699,420 fund request from GEF<br />

will be utilised as follows: (a) US$ 2,551,000<br />

(54%) for personnel and mission costs to<br />

implement all project component activities; (b)<br />

US$ 764,210 (16%) for various capacity building and training activities; (c)<br />

US$ 1,200,000 (26%) for enhancement of the local market and purchase of the<br />

necessary BIPV equipment and hardware; (d) US$ 184,210 (4%) for subcontract<br />

and sub-consultancy costs to undertake various surveys and business<br />

development models. ❏<br />

PROJECT FACTS:<br />

Agency’s Project ID: 2754<br />

Country: Malaysia<br />

Project Title: Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BiPV) Technology Application<br />

Project<br />

GEF Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)<br />

Duration: Five Years<br />

GEF Focal Area: Climate Change<br />

GEF Operational Programme: OP-7; Reduction of Long-Term Costs of Low<br />

Greenhouse Gas-Emitting Energy Technologies<br />

GEF Strategic Priority: (S5) Global Market Aggregation and National Innovation<br />

for Emerging Technologies<br />

<strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007 11


E<br />

nergy<br />

Photovoltaic Basics<br />

How it works<br />

Photovoltaic (PV) is the direct conversion of light into<br />

electricity. The term combines the Greek word photon for<br />

light, and the unit for electric tension volt. The photovoltaic<br />

principle was already observed by the French physicist<br />

AE Becquerel as far back as 1839. A solar cell converts<br />

energy from light to electricity without any mechanical<br />

or chemical action; this means it is completely ‘noiseless,<br />

suffers no mechanical wear and tear and releases no<br />

pollutants.<br />

The solar cell is the core of a photovoltaic system. There<br />

are two main types of solar cell – crystalline and<br />

amorphous (thin-film) cells. Each has several sub-types.<br />

So far, crystalline silicon is the dominant cell technology,<br />

with a market share close to 90%, thanks to higher<br />

conversion efficiencies and well-established<br />

manufacturing processes. But thin-film technologies have<br />

the potential to significantly reduce manufacturing costs<br />

in mass production. When exposed to light, solar cells<br />

generate electricity in direct current (DC) form. This can<br />

directly power an electric motor, a light bulb or charge up<br />

a battery. We can also use an inverter to convert the DC to<br />

alternating current (AC) electricity suitable for feeding into<br />

the mains grid.<br />

Applications<br />

Photovoltaics (PV) is modular in nature and can be used<br />

to power almost any electric load. The two main<br />

applications are stand-alone or off-grid and gridconnected.<br />

Off-grid applications include commercial<br />

applications like powering satellites, remote<br />

telecommunication repeater stations, road signs,<br />

navigation warning lights, parking meters and equipment<br />

on off-shore drilling platforms. A lot of infrastructure we<br />

take for granted today is only possible thanks to PV<br />

technology.<br />

Rural PV applications include small-home lighting<br />

systems, remote village electrification, street lights and<br />

water pumping. Recreational PV applications include<br />

camping vans, garden lights, calculators and toys. Most<br />

off-grid applications use PV because it is the most costeffective<br />

source of reliable electricity.<br />

Grid-connected applications range from residential<br />

roof-top systems, to commercial roof-top and buildingintegrated<br />

solar façades, to large solar power plants.<br />

Mid- and Long-Term Market Potential<br />

Most grid-connected applications are not yet cost-effective<br />

without some form of financial incentive if the avoided<br />

cost of mains electricity is only the benefit being<br />

considered. But many governments, notably in Japan,<br />

Germany and California see financial incentives for gridconnected<br />

PV systems as an investment in the future. They<br />

see PV as one of the best long-term alternatives to fossil<br />

and nuclear fuels, particularly since PV systems emit no<br />

greenhouse gases. These incentives drive significant<br />

MANY regional governments are actively<br />

establishing programmes to accelerate the rollout of<br />

PV. Japan is the second biggest market after Germany,<br />

and it produces nearly half the world’s PV cells.<br />

Australia’s Solar Cities Programme and Korea’s<br />

incentive schemes make solar roof-top systems and<br />

power plants commercially attractive. China’s<br />

Brightness Programme supports the installation of PV<br />

infrastructure to bring electricity to rural areas, while<br />

Malaysia is embarking on a national programme to<br />

support roof-top PV installations.<br />

In late 2006, the Singapore government pledged<br />

S$70M for its Green Building Masterplan to encourage<br />

developers to embrace sustainable development in<br />

buildings and for the industry to step up research and<br />

development efforts in this area. Mr. Christophe Inglin<br />

(a photovoltaic specialist since 1996) states, ‘Demand<br />

for electricity is growing much faster in Asia than in<br />

the West, so meeting that demand with fossil or nuclear<br />

fuels alone is not a viable long-term option. As much of<br />

Asia is in the global “sun belt” , solar power is the best<br />

renewable energy source for the region. It is a fantastic<br />

market growth which creates economies of scale. Together<br />

with steady technology improvements, the economies-ofscale<br />

are forecast to drive down the cost of grid-connected<br />

PV systems until they can undercut conventional<br />

electricity tariffs within 10 years.<br />

As costs come down further, and related enabling<br />

technologies mature, PV could supply well over 20<br />

percent of the electricity consumed in most Asian cities.<br />

The worldwide PV industry in 2005 was worth some<br />

US$10-15 billion in installed system prices, and the<br />

market is growing at double-digit rates. It looks set to<br />

contribute a measurable part of the economy within a<br />

few decades. ❏<br />

Phoenix SonnenStrom AG Establishes<br />

Asia Pacific HQ in Singapore<br />

growth industry in which Phoenix Solar will play a<br />

leading role’.<br />

Dr. Murray Cameron, Chief Operating Officer of<br />

Phoenix SonnenStrom AG says, ‘The strategically<br />

favourable central position, excellent infrastructure and<br />

well-trained workforce make Singapore the perfect<br />

choice for expanding our international businesses’.<br />

About the Company<br />

Based in Singapore, Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd will<br />

spearhead the Asia Pacific expansion of Phönix<br />

SonnenStrom AG, a leading European photovoltaic (PV)<br />

solar systems integrator. Phoenix Solar, the regional<br />

subsidiary of Phönix SonnenStrom AG, will focus on<br />

the fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets on which regional<br />

governments are placing increasing priority. Phoenix<br />

Solar designs and installs turn-key roof-top and groundmounted<br />

PV power plants, and the company also<br />

designs and supplies PV systems for village<br />

electrification, commercial and residential buildings,<br />

and industrial applications like telecoms, off-shore<br />

platforms and traffic signals. ❏<br />

Green-friendly solar panels at work.<br />

12 <strong>ICA</strong> Volume 1 Issue 1 2007

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