Imagine an offshore-platform like a jack-up rig.
Below the jack-up rig is a barge-like vessel, say with 5000 tons dwt(five thousands).
On the deck of the rig platform are “load towers”. May each have a 200 tons load.
The 200-ton-load could rise up to 120 metres on the towers.
The rise of the load is caused by a rack attached to the barge with the tide.
Each high tide will push the load up 1.5m.
Each low tide will pull the load up 1.5m.
With 2 tides a day the load should move up 6 metres.

The load is only released after reaching full height and must be released
in such a way that a turbine could be turn continuously to provide power
for a desired projection.

THE ENERGY PRODUCED WOULD BE SOLD TO THE GRID.

OFFSHORE COMMUNITY(OC)

Could an OC be established thus housing maintenance crew, a small area for resort-like living and service providers. These will receive power directly and
fresh water produced. The fresh water could also be sold directly to the waterboats.

So what is taking so long, what is the difficult part?

We have enough “brain power” to be able to bang out a plan relatively fast. Things are becoming even more frustrating when Al Gore the day after sets the direction for 100% fossil-free in 10 years! (We can always discuss the viability of such a target, but the there is for sure no lack of vision)

I have however no doubts that once the directions are set, things will move quickly, there are so many organisations and individuals ready to move. I would like to draw parallels to the initiatives the government drew up for increased Entrepreneurship back in 2001.

Attending the Blue5ky festival yesterday it is clear that Singapore has come a long way and is now moving up yet another gear for “passionate entrepreneurship” and that it is OK, and even required, to be different, in order to be a successful entrepreneur.

The same thing is possible for Renewable Energy. I can easily envision Singapore being on track to reach, for example 20% RE by 2020, in just a few years, but this requires commitment, plans and targets.

I have a Google alert for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) and it hardly ever shows. I do believe that a Energy Ministry is needed for Singapore just as proposed in a previous blog here on AsiaIsGreen.

Additional to the targets we also need to define the direction. My feeling is that it is somewhat too much of a “shot-gun” approach right now to RE in Singapore. Focus is required in order to boost the market but also to support the RE companies and industries that chooses Singapore as the Cleantech Hub in Asia.

The proposal is simple and Singapore should leverage much more its assets. Focus should be on Solar, the only natural resource in Singapore. But not only on PV, focus should also be on Solar Thermal, batteries, smart-grids, net-metering, DC-distribution and anything else around solar to be able to create a thriving community.

A part from solar, Singapore also has a great potential to be leader in other RE areas related to large cities. Clearly we should be focusing more on RE for public transportation. How come even Malaysia is before Singapore setting targets on using Biogas for buses and trains?

Building effectiveness and Air-conditioning effectiveness are other areas to promote more and build skills and knowledge around.

Waste Management. I do not need to say more. Urban Biomass is a tremendous resource and Singapore could easily take the lead in this area.

So from my perspective we just need to push harder, Singapore can. As Al Gore exclaims:

…we need a worldwide global mobilization…
…we need another hero generation…
…we have a planetary emergency!

So Singapore, we are prepared, we are in the starting blocks, just show us the track and the finishing line and we will get there… :)

Per