.
There are still other alternative energy sources that we have
still not fully explored and which are freely available as
Singapore is located in the equatorial belt.
Sunlight as a source of energy has not been fully explored
other then on a small scale with solar panels charging batteries
for limited applications - as in providing power for bus stop
lighting, remotely located electrically operated
outdoor monitoring equipment, remote installations of
telephones.
Other then solar cells to convert sunlight into electrical
power, there is little R & D activities to apply the
potential of tapping the focussed heat from the sunlight to drive
steam turbines to produce electricity.
The other alternatives that can be considered will be
tidal sea wave power and wind power.
Like tapping energy from the sun, the energy from tidal wave
motion and that of the wind will require large surface area to
install the equipment.
While the flat solar panels can easily be merged into the
landscape of the building roofs or walls, the wind turbines need to
be located onto tall towers that may pose aesthetic challenges to
the social environment.
Similarly, with a shrinking surface territorial waters due to
land reclamation works, the option of tapping the tidal energies
from sea waves remains a challenging options.
Other then sourcing for alternative energies, the architectural
and engineering professionals should seriously consider their
design works to incorporate building and equipment features that
will use energies efficiently - as well as incorporating
equipment to tap the energies from the sun, wind and sea that will
form part of the building external features.
Nuclear energy ?
This should be the very last option, as the cost of storing
nuclear waste can also be very costly.