The building, which is expected to be completed in December 2011, will house prominent local and international cleantech-related organizations, and serve as a living laboratory for test-bedding a number of green innovations, according to a statement from the corporation.
Company and Singapore officials believe creation of an eco-business park will lead to a clustering of cleantech R&D, engineering and headquarter activities. The hope is that proximity will foster cross-fertilisation of ideas while facilitating opportunities for collaboration and strategic alliances.
“As an industrial infrastructure innovator, JTC takes pride in providing innovative solutions to meet the long-term interests of our customers,” said JTC Chairman Cedric Foo during a tree-planting ceremony at the project site to signify the “seeding of clean technology”.
“By locating themselves at CleanTech One, companies can demonstrate their commitment towards green technologies,” he said.
Several public and private entities have already committed to occupying CleanTech One by 2012.
Future private sector tenants include the Danish company DHI Water & Environment(S) Pte. Ltd., which specializes in water and environmental research and consultancy services; Sinomem Technology Limited, a leader in water purification in China; and SOLID Asia, one of the world’s leading specialists in large-scale solar thermal systems.
Public sector tenants will include Nanyang Technological University (NTU)’s research institutes in energy and water research, the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) laboratories on photovoltaic (PV) module performance analysis and solar powered air-conditioning will also be located in the building, as will its testing and certification lab, a joint venture with VDE-ISE Pte Ltd on PV module certification.
Joining them all will be the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), which is moving its offices into the facility.
In planning the building, JTC Corp. has tried to ensure CleanTech One appears to be a component of the existing environment, nestled in lush greenery.
The company, which bills itself as Singapore’s leading industrial infrastructure specialist, is also seeking to take full advantage of the surrounding natural resources. For instance, its two towers are being built with a minimum east-west façade to gain an optimal solar orientation.
To further reduce heat gain, the building atrium will be naturally ventilated with the façade carefully designed with a “wind wall” that channels wind through the two tower blocks, improving air circulation.
In addition, as a living lab, CleanTech One will provide a low-risk environment where novel green solutions can be developed and test-bedded before large-scale commercialisation. For instance, the sky trellis, which is a green canopy constructed between adjacent buildings, serves to lower heat build-up on the building façade. The resulting lowered demand for air conditioning will ultimately translate to cost savings.
The cleantech industry has been identified as a key new growth industry for Singapore. As a key initiative of the S$1 billion Singapore Sustainable Blueprint, CleanTech Park is poised to boost Singapore’s leadership position as an innovative cleantech hub for global markets. The park will be developed in three phases and is expected to be completely built out by 2030. By that time, it is expected to create 20,000 green collar jobs.
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