Takeaways and Learnings from Singapore Visit as Part of CII Waste to Worth Delegation

My recent visit to Singapore as a delegate of the CII Waste to Worth team offered a comprehensive exposure to Singapore’s waste-to-energy (WTE) sector and related innovations. The experience has broadened my understanding of operational methodologies, energy recovery strategies, and the larger environmental stewardship framework being practiced. The key learnings and reflections from this visit are as follows:

Technical Insights and Observations:

1. Waste-to-Energy Operational Efficiency:

   • The WTE facilities in Singapore, notably WRMAS and Keppel Seghers, directly incinerate unsegregated municipal solid waste to generate high-pressure steam, which drives a steam turbine for electrical power generation.

   • The operational efficiency of these steam turbines in converting superheated steam into electrical power is currently limited to around 25%.

   • I identified potential for system optimisation by incorporating downstream heat recovery technologies such as the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). This can harness the residual enthalpy from low-pressure steam post-turbine, converting additional thermal energy into power through a closed-loop organic fluid system.

2. Environmental Considerations:

   • The flue gas emissions from the WTE plants are discharged into the atmosphere in compliance with national emission standards. However, these processes inherently release significant volumes of CO₂.

   • There exists an opportunity to integrate carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies to mitigate these emissions. Captured CO₂ can be channelled into sequestration or industrial applications, reducing the overall carbon footprint.

3. Incineration By-Products and Disposal Challenges:

   • Incineration generates a considerable quantity of bottom ash, comprising metals, non-metals, and inert residues. While Singapore disposes of this through landfilling, replicating such a system in India may face land availability and environmental compliance challenges.

   • Additionally, particulate emissions and residue management remain concerns requiring strategic interventions in emission control and ash valorisation.

Academic and Research Collaborations:

The most valuable academic interaction was at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where we received an enlightening presentation on their ongoing technological advancements.

• Several of their innovations have reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7, now advancing toward industrial validation at TRL 8-9.

• The session provided actionable insights into emerging waste management and resource recovery technologies suitable for adaptation in the Indian context.

Leadership and Inspirational Takeaways:

Our session at Stewardship Asia was both motivational and reflective. Mr. Rajeev’s address struck a chord with his clarity, conviction, and emphasis on purposeful leadership in the energy transition space.

• His message — that two decisive, well-planned steps forward could meaningfully transform aspirations into tangible outcomes — was profoundly motivating and reinforced the importance of strategic intent coupled with bold action.

Conclusion:

The Singapore visit reaffirmed the pivotal role of integrated waste-to-energy solutions within urban sustainability frameworks, while highlighting areas for technological augmentation, particularly in energy efficiency, carbon mitigation, and resource valorisation.

It also emphasized the need for a balanced approach between technical feasibility and environmental responsibility, especially in contexts like India where land and emissions management pose greater challenges. Collaborations with institutions like NTU and knowledge-driven leadership approaches as championed by Stewardship Asia will be critical for shaping future-ready waste management ecosystems.