SP Group invests S$30 million in research and education initiatives with NTU

SP Group (SP) is putting S$30 million towards working together with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on research and education initiatives, which will - among other things - look at improving the resilience of Singapore's electricity network as well as the reliability and efficiency of supply to consumers.

S$20 million of the funds will go towards setting up the SP Group-NTU Joint Laboratory at the NTU Smart Campus to to explore energy projects relating to asset management and network operations. A total of 60 researchers, 85 undergraduate and postgraduate students will work out of the new lab, which will also serve as a training platform for SP's engineers.

SP is allocating S$10 million to NTU to set up two endowment funds at the university to support and groom next-generation experts in Singapore's energy sector. The SP Group Professorship Fund will support two outstanding faculty members in their research and scholarship, while the SP Group Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund will enhance early-career scientists' and engineers' research in energy and power systems. The recipients from both endowment funds will contribute to the research carried out at the lab.

Tan See Leng, Second Minister for Trade and Industry, said: "Singapore has one of the most reliable electricity networks globally. We must continue to develop and grow our local capabilities to prepare for the future. This collaboration between NTU and SP Group will boost our network resilience and develop innovative solutions that will serve our future energy needs."

Aside from studying equipment components and materials to better optimise equipment maintenance and replacement, researchers at the lab will use artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict network problems before they materialise. The lab will also develop new intellectual property and commercially viable innovations aimed at benefiting the wider energy industry.

Stanley Huang, group chief executive at SP Group, said that the group will work together with NTU to create leading, innovative ways to strengthen SP's network planning, renewal and maintenance practices.

Subra Suresh, NTU President Professor, added: "While the research collaboration leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the resilience and efficiency of Singapore's power grid, the endowment funds invest in the future of outstanding talent for the energy sector by supporting our young researchers and faculty members."