I have had the chance to work on a variety of exciting and diverse projects over the years. They range from developing plans to support Singapore’s climate change ambition, forecasting our power needs to using data science to improve decision making.

In my current role at the Energy Technologies Department, I lead efforts in studying clean energy technologies that could help Singapore meet its energy goals.

The true highlight of my career, however, has to be the fact that I have had the privilege of working alongside my #OneEMA teammates. The people I cross paths with at EMA are an inspiring and exceptional group. They are tireless and passionate about bringing in new energy technologies for Singapore’s clean energy future.

By leveraging our individual talents, I believe we are able to come together as a cohesive unit to meet our common goal. They are the true driving force behind me, and my journey in EMA would never have been as fulfilling without them!

I usually start my day with a cup of coffee!

In a nutshell, my team looks out for new and emerging technologies that can help Singapore tackle our energy challenges.

We research and travel the world hunting for cutting-edge energy technologies – from geothermal, wind, marine, storage, and even nuclear. While some of the technologies that we encounter are pretty unusual, our focus is always on safety and technical soundness.

Attending key industry conferences such as the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference is part of Darryl’s (pictured left) role in staying up-to-date with the latest developments in energy technologies.

For me, every day is a new adventure in the world of emerging energy technologies. And EMA is leaving no stone unturned. While Singapore pushes ahead with our solar deployment and electricity imports, we are also preparing for the longer term by exploring clean fuels like hydrogen and its derivatives.

Looking even further ahead, EMA is studying nascent but promising technology pathways like next-generation geothermal systems and newer classes of nuclear technologies.

In fact, we are currently conducting a nationwide non-invasive survey to explore the potential of geothermal energy in Singapore. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely on shallow underground reservoirs of hot water or steam, we are tapping heat from hot dry rocks found much deeper underground. If the results are positive – it will offer a domestic source of clean energy for Singapore. As for Sembawang hot spring fans, it is here to stay for recreational use!

Nuclear technologies have also made significant progress and improvements in recent decades, with newer reactors designed to be much safer. Safety remains our top priority and we are exploring whether advancements in nuclear energy can make it a viable and affordable option to meet Singapore’s energy and climate goals.

We will continue to keep tabs on such technology developments should viable options emerge in the future. At the end of the day, we want to put together a basket of new technologies that would give Singapore the energy security and reliability that we need.

Personally, three essential “ingredients” are crucial for success in any endeavour: curiosity, courage and collaboration.

Curiosity sparks innovation and spurs creativity, keeping our team always on a look out for the next new and interesting technology. Courage enables us to move forward – it drives us to embrace change and achieve progress. It also motivates us to take calculated steps to invest time, money and effort in studying and potentially test-bedding new technologies in Singapore. Finally, collaboration with different stakeholders strengthens our resolve in navigating the uncertainties of the energy transition, allowing us to co-create new solutions that meet Singapore’s unique context.

When combined, these form a strong foundation for our efforts to meet our net-zero ambitions.

To achieve our net-zero ambition, the journey will certainly be arduous and uncertain. Therefore, more than ever, we need to act collectively with optimism and determination to be a smart as well as fast adopter of new energy technologies. Let us show the world that a small island nation like Singapore can make a big impact and embrace change.

Together, I am sure we can overcome the challenges of creating a clean energy future for everyone.

Image generated by Darryl (using WhatsApp’s Meta AI feature) that imagines a future Singapore powered by clean energy sources such as solar, hydrogen and geothermal. For illustration purposes only.