Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has entered into a pioneering 10-year partnership with PacificLight and RExus Bioenergy to develop a wood-to-waste plant in Singapore. This initiative aims to provide clean energy to power Google’s data centers and operations in the region. The project underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to achieving 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030, by matching electricity demand with a continuous supply of renewable energy.
Google’s recent efforts in Asia show an increasing focus on renewable energy solutions. Earlier collaborations include a clean energy initiative in Taiwan with BlackRock and a renewable energy purchase agreement in Japan. This new agreement ensures consistent clean energy supply, which is vital in regions like Singapore that primarily depend on liquid natural gas (LNG) and lack extensive renewable energy resources such as solar or wind power.
The Singapore Economic Development Board highlights the country’s reliance on LNG and the challenges it faces in deploying traditional renewable energy facilities. The new biomass power plant, developed by RExus, converts waste wood into energy, which offers a practical solution to these constraints. The plant incorporates a pilot-scale carbon capture system, which aims to channel captured CO2 towards beneficial uses, including biofuel and food production.
Innovative Biomass Technology
Giorgio Fortunato, Head of Clean Energy & Power for Asia Pacific at Google, emphasized the significance of the project in advancing clean energy targets in a resource-limited market like Singapore. The biomass power plant is expected to provide reliable and clean power, supporting Google’s 24/7 CFE goal.
“We are excited about this project, as it demonstrates how technology and innovation are key to progress towards our clean energy targets, especially in a market with limited clean energy resources like Singapore. This biomass power plant will provide firm, clean, dispatchable power, supporting our goal to source 24/7 carbon-free energy in every grid where we operate.”
Under the partnership, PacificLight will offtake the renewable energy produced by RExus’s Waste Wood-to-Energy (WWtE) Plant for Google. The plant’s energy generation will be certified under the International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) standard. The initiative also includes advanced technology to enhance energy efficiency by 10% compared to conventional WWtE plants.
Commitment to Sustainability
RExus Chairman, Oh Wee Khoon, expressed enthusiasm about the plant’s innovative approach, which builds on previous endeavors in process innovation and circularity. The project aims to further support Singapore’s local food and biofuel sectors through carbon capture initiatives.
“This first-of-its-kind WWtE Plant pushes the boundary of process innovation and circularity concepts building upon our past endeavors. We are also excited to contribute to Singapore’s local food and biofuel innovations through demonstrative carbon capture initiatives, such as microalgae production and growing tomatoes in CO2-enriched greenhouses.”
PacificLight’s CEO, Yu Tat Ming, noted the company’s commitment to renewable energy initiatives through its investment in Sobono Bioenergy. The integration of sustainable biomass into Singapore’s energy mix aims to provide a dependable and sustainable energy solution for Google, setting a new industry standard.
“Our investment in Sobono Bioenergy is driven by our commitment to support renewable energy initiatives and become a low carbon energy company. The integration of sustainable biomass into the Singapore energy mix will provide a reliable and sustainable energy solution to Google and will also set a new standard for the Singapore industry.”
This strategic partnership between Google, PacificLight, and RExus Bioenergy represents a significant step towards expanding renewable energy options in Singapore. By leveraging advanced biomass technology and carbon capture systems, the project not only addresses the country’s energy constraints but also contributes to its sustainability goals. Through consistent innovation and collaboration, such initiatives pave the way for achieving long-term carbon-free energy solutions, setting precedents for industry practices and future projects. The successful implementation of this project can serve as a model for other regions facing similar renewable energy limitations.
