Pitch
As Singapore is located near the equator, it experiences high concentrations of sunlight, allowing for efficient harnessing of solar power.
Description
Make life easier/more difficult for Singapore?
Easier
Describe the change
Natural Gas is Singapore's main energy source. Although it is a renewable and cleaner source producing 35% less carbon dioxide than petroleum-based oil, it is still a potential threat to global warming. Thus, Singapore pledged that by 2030, carbon dioxide emissions will be capped to 65 million tonnes.
There is a growing trend in utilizing Solar Energy, as it does not emit carbon dioxide, making it an ideal source. This trend is taking off in Singapore, with solar panels being installed on estate rooftops despite Singapore's land scarcity.
Singapore can also adopt the idea of Solar Roadways by Scotts and Julie from California, thus increasing the surface areas that Singapore can harness solar energy.
By maximizing Singapore's surface area, energy consumed in Singapore will not only come from Natural Gas, but increasingly from solar energy, enabling Singapore to meet its emission target by 2030. This will enable Singapore to set an example for the world in the combat against global warming.
How will this change impact Smart Nation Singapore in 2030?
Solar Roadways are roads and pavements that are embedded with solar panels. They are protected and covered by a transparent glass, allowing vehicles and people to freely move across them.
If this idea is implemented, not only will it significantly increase the surface area in Singapore to capture solar energy, but it will also enhance Singapore's outlook as a Smart Nation.
In addition to its current benefits, there are other advantages as well:
- LED Lights embedded inside the Solar Roadways for road markings and signage.This is especially beneficial for road users or pilots at night, where roads will have increased visibility of road markings from the LED Lights.
- Increase job opportunities through the operation and maintenance of this technology.
- Such road markings are customizable and changed almost immediately to suit traffic conditions through the programmable LED lights. This is unlike the current road markings, which requires the closure of a lane for repainting, making it inconvenient.
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