NUS launches new research institute with S$15m endowed gift from Temasek

THE National University of Singapore (NUS) has launched a new research institute, the Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI), with the aim of making hydrogen a commercially viable green energy source.

NUS in its press statement on Monday (Jul 4) said CHI received a S$15 million endowed gift from Temasek, bringing the centre’s total investment to S$25 million including additional funding from NUS.

According to the university, CHI is the first of its kind in South-east Asia. It commenced operations on Jul 1 and is led by NUS professor Liu Bin, who also established the NUS Green Energy Programme.

The centre’s primary focus will be on hydrogen carrier and supply chain studies in its first phase, starting with 9 hydrogen-related research projects that will each receive up to S$250,000 in funding. These research projects aim to create disruptive technologies related to building a hydrogen economy in Singapore, such as the development of hydrogen carriers - chemicals that contain hydrogen to be extracted.

The centre intends to explore technologies for local production of hydrogen, through processes such as electrolysis of water and methane pyrolysis powered by solar energy as a renewable energy source.

Aside from conducting cost analysis and supply chain studies of imports to ensure cost-effectiveness and keep downstream commercial applications of hydrogen affordable, CHI will focus on developing technologies to ensure the safe transport of hydrogen imports.

It also plans to work closely with industry partners to explore and accelerate applications for hydrogen as a fuel.

Training programmes – including degree and undergraduate programmes – related to the hydrogen economy will be provided by the centre through NUS.

The university added that CHI will further collaborate with the NUS community to work with policymakers and national agencies to develop effective safety regulations, risk assessments, and policies to enable the safe adoption of new hydrogen technologies.

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NUS said the resultant capabilities to transform hydrogen into a commercially viable source will 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”. 

“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 (research and development) breakthroughs and develop research talent for the hydrogen economy,” commented Russell Tham, Temasek’s head of strategic development and joint head of enterprise development group.

Tham and NUS senior deputy president and provost, Ho Teck Hua, will co-chair a governance board to provide strategic direction and stewardship for CHI.