Singapore's water comes from four sources; reservoir water, imported water from Malaysia, ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water (branded NEWater in Singapore) and desalinated water. Desalination therefore plays a strategic role in Singapore's vision for a diversified and sustainable supply of water and is expected to meet up to 30 percent of water demand by 2060. Yet desalination is an energy-intensive process, so a modern method is needed to boost efficiency and sustainability.
Located at the Marina East area of Singapore, the KMEDP, about twice the size of a football field, can either draw water from the surrounding sea during periods of dry weather or treat water from the Marina Reservoir during periods with heavy rain. With the plant’s dual intakes, when the water level in the reservoir is low, sea water can be pumped into the plant to be desalinated. When the reservoir water levels are high, the plant can treat water from the reservoir. The option to switch to treating reservoir water results in more effective water use, operational flexibility and optimized operational costs, as reservoir water treatment consumes only one-third the energy required for seawater desalination.
The plant is operating with a host of cutting-edge technology from ABB including automation and control systems as well as instrumentation and water analyzers. With ABB’s supply of energy efficient motors, variable speed drives and switchgears, together with process optimization aimed at increasing efficiency, the gains to be realized could potentially help reduce electricity consumption by up to 40 percent. A range of smart sensors and water-monitoring equipment is also being used in the plant.
