9: WIND: THE ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF POWER FOR SINGAPORE AFTER SOLAR ENERGY?

Wind is one of the prominent renewable energy sources on Earth. Utilization of wind is not a new technology; it is the rediscovery of a long traditional usage over thousands of years. Wind energy is derived from converting the wind's kinetic energy into other forms of useful energy. To understand how wind energy can be fully captured and utilized, it is vital to appreciate the forces behind its creation and formation in relation to the earth's atmosphere and landscape.

Previous works by Ong (2010) and Chng (2008) covered feasibility studies on wind technology in Singapore and coincidentally, the implementation of micro-wind turbines. Both studies however did not elaborate and justify in details the investment costs involved and anticipated payback periods to install the wind turbines. Nevertheless, they concluded that the wind speed in Singapore is low and only suitable for implementing small-scale wind turbines.

The chapter explores the feasibility of harvesting wind energy for commercial use and supplementing energy generation in Singapore. Given the scarcity of land, heavy maritime traffic along the Straits of Singapore and restrictions imposed by authorities, selection of suitable sites for wind energy development is challenging. Historic data is used to determine whether the amount of wind received is sufficient to harvest energy for commercial use, the potential energy that can be generated and the initial investment costs. Based on the information collected, Singapore's climate is not suitable for harvesting wind energy on a commercial scale and wind energy is insufficient to supplement conventional energy generation