First of its kind in SE Asia, the S$25 million centre aims to bring green hydrogen from the laboratory to society.
Burning of fossil fuels is one of the most common methods of generating energy. However, it has a detrimental impact on the environment. The use of hydrogen has been identified as an alternative energy generating source due to its proven efficiency as an energy carrier and low-carbon footprint in utilisation. However, high costs remain a major barrier to adopting green hydrogen on a large scale as a climate solution.
To address this challenge, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has established a new research institute, the Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI), with the aim of creating breakthrough technologies to make hydrogen commercially viable as a green energy source. These capabilities will, in turn, help position Singapore as a game-changer in enabling a hydrogen economy – one that relies on hydrogen as one of the major commercial fuels to power Singapore’s energy needs. The new Centre has commenced operations on 1 July 2022.
CHI, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, has received a S$15 million endowed gift from Temasek, and along with additional funding from NUS, the new centre has a total investment of S$25 million.
“The Centre for Hydrogen Innovations will conduct ground-breaking research on making green hydrogen affordable for Singapore. The Centre and the existing NUS Green Energy Programme, which focuses on carbon capture and utilisation, are both key to NUS’ strategy of offering world-class, innovative solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels as a source of energy,” said Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost.
Mr Russell Tham, Head of Strategic Development and Joint Head of Enterprise Development Group at Temasek, said, “Temasek supports efforts that catalyse solutions for a net zero world. We believe green hydrogen can play an important role in global decarbonisation. Hence, we are pleased to support CHI in their efforts to accelerate R&D breakthroughs and develop research talent for the hydrogen economy.”
A governance board, co-chaired by Prof Ho and Mr Tham, will provide strategic direction and stewardship for the new Centre. The governance board comprises leaders from the academic, government and corporate sectors in Singapore and overseas, including Mr David Danielson, Managing Director of Breakthrough Energy Ventures; Mr Bernd Heid, Senior Partner in McKinsey & Company and Global Lead for McKinsey’s Platform for Climate Technologies and Hydrogen Service Line; Professor Thomas Jaramillo, Director of SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis at Stanford University; and Professor Can Li, Director of State Key Laboratory of Catalysis at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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