Energy and Buildings

We are committed to a continuous reduction of our energy use efficiency and overall energy consumption by adopting new technologies and construction methodologies, and encouraging mindful energy use by our community.

Energy Use Efficiency

We have made continuous investments over the years to optimise the energy performance of our buildings since moving to our permanent campus at Brash Basah in 2006. Our energy use intensity (kWh/ m2) has decreased by over 40% even as our population and gross floor area has more than doubled since 2006.

Learn more about the various initiatives we have implemented in recent years.

Onsite Renewables

As a city campus on the island nation of Singapore, we have limited avenues for onsite renewable energy generation. Solar energy is the only feasible renewable energy source and we have installed solar panels on all available, suitable roof space across our campus. Our solar farm is the largest in the city centre and provides on average 10% of our annual energy demand.

Green Mark Platinum Campus

Our entire campus is certified Green Mark Platinum by the Building Construction Authority of Singapore and 2 of our buildings - SMU Connexion and the School of Social Sciences/ College of Integrative Studies building are certified Zero Energy and Super Low Energy respectively.

What you can do

  • Learn more about the green features we have on campus through our virtual and guided tours.
  • Help to reduce energy demand on campus by turning on only the lights you need, and switching off lights and power at the wall socket (or unplugging your devices) when not in use.
  • Reduce electricity consumption at home with this handy guide on energy saving habits by the Singapore National Environment Agency. Designing or renovating your home? Look out for the Energy Label on appliances and read this Resource Efficiency Guide by the Singapore National Environment Agency to build a sustainable dream home.
  • Take a course on sustainable built environment practices offered by the SMU Academy or delve into the intricate infrastructure aspects of clean energy with a course offered by SMU Executive Development.
  • Follow along the journey of our student and alumni startup founders revolutionising the energy industry, such as paper batteries at Flint; last-mile sustainable aviation fuel blending and distribution technologies at FlyORO; and roads made with plastic waste at Magorium.