EMA, SP Group to test ice thermal energy storage system

This will address the supply intermittency of solar power.

The Energy Market Authority and SP Group will pilot an ice thermal energy storage system (ESS) at the George Street Substation, the first-ever to be located outside a district cooling plant.

In a statement, the companies said the ESS, which pilot will be completed in the third quarter of 2026 as part of the substation’s renewal works, will support the supply intermittency issue of renewable energy such as solar which fluctuates due to weather conditions.

The stored energy can be discharged to power the district cooling plant and cut peak load demand. This will also balance the electricity load and allow a more resilient grid.

“If successful, more thermal ESS can be installed island-wide, which will support Singapore’s target of having at least 200MW of ESS beyond 2025,” said EMA Chief Executive Ngiam Shih Chun.

The system will also add up to 1,500 refrigeration ton-hour (RTH) of ice thermal energy to the marina bay district cooling network operated by SP. This will also curtail up to 2MW of electrical load which is equivalent to 170 four-room HDB flats for a day.

Meanwhile, SP will also install 3,000 refrigeration tons (RT) of chiller capacity at the substation as part of the pilot to support the future expansion of the Marina Bay district cooling network, raising the total installed capacity to 73,000 RT.

The companies said that additional installation would allow SP to supply sustainable cooling to more buildings within the vicinity of Marina Bay and nearby areas such as Boat Quay.