Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) has launched a Demand-Side Flexibility Roadmap to bolster the reliability of the nation’s power grid as it transitions towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The roadmap outlines strategies to harness demand-side resources, enabling electricity users to adjust their consumption in response to the power system’s needs.
The roadmap is part of Singapore’s broader effort to diversify its electricity fuel mix, currently dominated by natural gas, by incorporating more solar energy and electricity imports. EMA envisions that distributed energy resources, such as smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery energy storage systems (BESS), will play a crucial role in this transition.
EMA’s Interruptible Load (IL) Programme will see enhancements, including reducing each IL activation period to 30 minutes, providing business consumers with greater certainty over their obligations. This programme allows participants to adjust their electricity demand during imbalances, supporting grid reliability.
The roadmap also highlights the potential of distributed energy resources and high-availability loads to contribute to system reserves. EMA plans to issue a Request for Information to explore incentivising these resources to support system reliability continuously.
Additionally, EMA’s Demand Response (DR) programme has been expanded to include EV charging stations and BESS with a nameplate rating below 10 megawatts. A 13-month regulatory sandbox, in collaboration with ComfortDelGro, will pilot the participation of EV charging stations in the DR programme, showcasing innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of Singapore’s power system.
These initiatives mark a significant step in Singapore’s journey towards a more sustainable and reliable energy future, with the potential to transform the way electricity is consumed and managed across the nation.
