DBS opens Singapore’s first net zero building by a bank, marking new milestone in nation’s Green Plan 2030

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Image 1Image 1From Left to Right - Jeremy Soo, Head of Consumer Banking Group Singapore, DBS; Oh Chu Xian, Co-Founder of Magorium; Jimmy Ng, Group Chief Information Officer and Group Head of Technology & Operations, DBS; Sim S. Lim, Chairman of Building & Construction Authority; and Group Head of Consumer Banking & Wealth Management, DBS; Karen Ngui, Group Head of Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS; Shee Tse Khoon, Singapore Chief Executive, DBS; Minister Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Development; Piyush Gupta, CEO, DBS; Dr Shawn Lum, President of Nature Society (Singapore); Choong Yang Ping, Operations Chief Operating Officer, Group Technology & Operations, DBS; Kelvin Wong, CEO, Building & Construction Authority; Erwin Chong, Group Head of Corporate Real Estate, DBS

DBS Newton Green[3][4][5]

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Image 3 & 4
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Minister Desmond Lee and Piyush Gupta place the finishing touches on birdhouses which will be installed in the building’s biophilic façade to provide refuge for native birds.Image 3 & 4Over 100% of DBS Newton Green’s energy needs are provided by over 1,000 square metres of solar panels deployed on the rooftop. Additionally, DBS partnered Singapore-based Alpha Biofuels to replace diesel oil in its backup generator with biodiesel produced from used cooking oil[6]

DBS partnered Magorium, a social enterprise supported by the DBS Foundation, to use a sustainable material called ‘NEWBitumen’ to pave the driveways in the compound. NEWBitumen is made from recycled plastic waste and reprocessed asphalt waste and is an effective replacement to the bitumen derived from crude oil that is traditionally used to pave roads.

Over 50% of the building’s perimeter façade is covered with living plants, which serves a dual purpose of lowering the internal building temperature by reducing urban heat gain and providing refuge for native butterfly and bird species. DBS selected the plants in collaboration with the Nature Society of Singapore to provide suitable refuge for native butterfly and bird species such as the magpie robin, bulbul and flowerpecker.

DBS partnered WhatIF Foods, another social enterprise supported by the DBS Foundation, to replace vending machines with a range of plant-based snacks made from crops grown through regenerative agricultural practices.

Staying true to its commitment to circular procurement practices, DBS will work with MTM Solutions, a local workplace furniture specialist, to salvage and refurbish workable office chairs disposed by other organisations instead of purchasing new ones for the offices and meeting rooms.

DBS partnered Singapore-based Alpha Biofuels to replace diesel oil in its backup generator with biodiesel produced from used cooking oil.

^[1]A net zero building refers to one that consumes only as much renewable energy as it can generate.^[2]The Singapore Green Building Masterplan is an action plan that sets out Singapore’s sustainability ambitions for the Built Environment. It is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. More information is at https://go.gov.sg/sgbmp. ^[3]‘Embodied Carbon’ refers to the carbon footprint of a building before it becomes operational and includes carbon dioxide emissions created in the manufacture of the building materials, the transportation of these materials, and the actual construction process. ^[4]World Green Building Council, https://www.worldgbc.org/embodied-carbon^[5]Jan 2020 Interview with Lisa Bates, Chair of World Green Building Council, https://www.eco-business.com/news/tackling-embodied-carbon-is-the-next-step-of-the-green-building-journey/^[6]Administered by BCA, the GBIC Programme aims to accelerate the development and adoption of promising building energy efficient technologies and solutions in the Built Environment.Annex A

Minimising Energy Consumption – by as much as 580,000 kWh annually

• 10% of the floor area that was previously air-conditioned has been converted to naturally ventilated spaces that do not need air-conditioning.
• Slatted façade made of bamboo shades the building while encouraging natural ventilation. As a natural material, bamboo has lower embodied carbon than steel or concrete.
• Intelligent occupancy-based lighting, air-conditioning systems to optimise energy consumption.
• Low energy appliances such as heat pump water heaters and energy-efficient fans coupled with reengineered plumbing reduced energy consumption in common areas such as lobbies, pantries, and social spaces down by 70%.
• Self-powered solar air-conditioning systems, exhaust fans and lampposts further reduce the need for energy.

Maximising Renewable Energy Production – to meet building’s balance energy needs

• Over 1,000 square metres of solar panels deployed on the rooftop.
• Building design incorporates a new overhang to expand the amount of rooftop space available for solar panels. Cavity spaces in the overhang’s structure allow for air handling units to be housed at the side of the building instead the rooftop, freeing up space for more solar panels.
• Bi-facial modules enables sunlight reflecting from the roof surface to be harvested.
• AI-enabled optimisers enhance the operating efficiency and performance of the solar panel array.

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