In Singapore, many businesses are looking into using renewable and gas to meet their growing requirements and reduce carbon emissions.
Some are considering the possibility of nuclear reactors, but business experts claim there is still a way to get before realizing the goal.  ,
For a start, they are pushing for a model that develops technical expertise in the field and handles feasibility studies.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Data center technician Equinix, for example, is now implementing a more efficient cooling system to go green with its energy use.
The US-based provider of electronic equipment runs more than 260 data centers worldwide, six of which are in Singapore.
This year, the company will begin using liquid cooling technology in its data centers, which is 3, 000 times more cost-effective for cooling the high-calibride AI Graphics Processing Unit ( GPU) than conventional cooling.
In the future, it is considering the possibility of using small modular nuclear reactors ( SMRs ) to generate power.
” In terms of the Biomarkers, we’ve started to explore planes. I would suggest that it’s budding, and it’s in the study time”, said Yee May Leong, managing director of Equinix Singapore.
” We’re positive that it will be one of the alternative energy options for us in the near future.”
Energy cells, gas, and ammonia are other renewable energy options that the company is looking into.
According to Ms. Leong,” We’ve been working with the Singapore government to find new paths and other green transition energies,” adding that the company is in favor of the Singapore Green Plan, which has goals for sustainability in the country by 2030.
She noted that relationship between the business, power providers, as well as plan makers, is a key success ingredient for efficient energy solutions to be taken on a flexible manner.
WHY SMRs?
Singapore simply lacks the space to make such large amounts of energy, according to observers. Conventional nuclear facilities can do so.
It also takes some 20 years to lay the groundwork for nuclear services, constructing infrastructure and fitting pieces, before it can begin generating electricity.
SMRs, which are constructed at a fraction of the size of a typical nuclear power plant, are another option that can be up and running much quicker.
Business players said the advantages of SMRs include flexibility, lesser cleaning requirements, improved safety features, and the potential for inclusion into Singapore’s small energy system.
” Important, we don’t have the gifts of large land places… where we can put large-scale facilities away from urban areas and protect them from the people”, said Mr Matthew Oostveen, chief technology officer for Asia Pacific and Japan at data storage firm Pure Storage.
Lee Poh Seng, a professor at the National University of Singapore ( NUS), cautioned that the transition to nuclear power is extremely complex. Translation requires overcoming obstacles, including changing community perceptions, which may require education campaigns to foster confidence and address safety and environmental concerns.
Moreover, there will be high initial capital charge, with long lead times for implementation and a need for specialised workplace capabilities.
He claimed that while Singapore has not yet adopted a formal position regarding the use of nuclear energy, it needs to develop an expert framework to evaluate its viability and develop regulatory expertise.
” We will continue to monitor the enhancement for alternatives like SMRs,” said Prof. Lee, who is the program director of NUS’ Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed.
” In parallel, what we can do is continue to address the health issues, the governing problems, as well as the legal problems. But when such options become accessible, we have the required framework to quickly grow the births.
DEMAND FOR GREEN ENERGY
To learn more about the most recent developments in science and technology from British organizations, Singapore and the US have partnered on a nuclear cooperation agreement.
Mr. Oostveen stated that the business anticipates a rise in demand for data backup in Singapore over the upcoming years.
” Big organizations feel very at ease storing both their physical and digital goods in Singapore. It is healthy. It is protected. There is a great deal of skills available to work on these techniques, he told CNA.
The time is running out for the Republic to find a viable renewable energy source that you meet growing computing needs as Singapore looks to increase its data center capacity by more than a third in the near future.
According to Prof. Lee, operators will be forced to adopt green systems and practices because of the government’s emphasis on carbon prices and incentives for ecological practices.
He cited a framework to improve data center sustainability as” The Green Data Center Roadmap amplifies this drive by setting strict goals for energy efficiency and fostering technology across sectors.”
Through these actions, Singapore is laying the groundwork for a resilient energy habitat that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and encourages responsible growth in the data center sector.
He added that continued research into modern energy alternatives, international cooperation, and powerful plan systems may be necessary to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.