NUS Centre for Hydrogen Innovations Opens State-Of-the-Art Facility Dedicated to Advancing Hydrogen Research, Training and Collaborations

Giving Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy a big push, the National University of Singapore (NUS) today officially launched its Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI) with the inauguration of an advance research facility as the Centre’s flagship innovation hub. Spanning over 600 square metres and furnished with state-of-the-art research equipment, the new facility aims to boost hydrogen research and commercial application in Singapore.

The launch of CHI was officiated by Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, in the presence of distinguished guests from the hydrogen research and industry ecosystem in Singapore.

CHI was first established as a virtual Centre in July 2022 through an investment of S$25 million, comprising a S$15 million endowed gift from Temasek and S$5 million matching fund from the government, along with additional funding from NUS. The Centre takes a holistic approach to tackle technological and infrastructural challenges in enabling a hydrogen economy through harnessing a broad spectrum of expertise, including science and engineering, from various entities at NUS. At CHI, research activities are organised under four key areas: green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, hydrogen carrier systems, and hydrogen utilisation.

Highlighting the importance of CHI’s work, Dr Tan noted in his keynote speech, “Singapore is seriously studying low-carbon hydrogen as a decarbonisation pathway… However, hydrogen technology is still nascent. Significant technological breakthroughs are required to enable the deployment of hydrogen at scale and in a cost-effective manner. We must prioritise raising the technological readiness levels and the market-readiness levels of hydrogen technologies. This requires closer collaboration across all stakeholders across the ecosystem.”

Over the last two years, CHI has provided more than S$4.2 million in grants to support 17 innovative projects in hydrogen-related research. The Centre has also been very successful in securing external grants, including a grant of S$8 million awarded recently to CHI under the Low Carbon Energy Research programme to conduct research on ammonia combustion.  

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “NUS strives to catalyse change and shape a more sustainable future in our core mission areas of education, research and innovation, and in operations and administration. The launch of the Centre for Hydrogen Innovations represents a bold, significant step that NUS is taking towards building a sustainable future. The Centre is taking off on a strong start, and I look forward to its contributions towards knowledge building, Singapore’s climate target of net zero emissions target by 2050, and the global fight against climate change.”

Mr Russell Tham, Head, Emerging Technologies, Temasek, said, “Tackling today’s complex sustainability challenges demands a comprehensive, whole-of-system approach, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. A blend of sustained STEM-based R&D; technology-savvy entrepreneurs and investors; global and cross-sector partnerships; and diverse public and private capital with the risk appetite and stamina, can cultivate a vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystem. As a co-founder of Centre for Hydrogen Innovations with NUS, we are committed to leveraging our capabilities and networks to help advance low-carbon hydrogen technologies and strengthen their pathways for broader adoption.”

CHI’s new research facility will anchor the Centre’s cutting-edge research while boosting its efforts in education and industry collaboration. Some state-of-the-art equipment featured in the facility include a four-channel reactor for carbon dioxide hydrogenation; a catalyst synthesis robot that automates the process of creating catalysts required for hydrogen-related research; prototyping, testing and characterisation tools; as well as a dedicated section for scientific work involving ammonia, which requires special handling and storage precautions.

Pushing the boundaries of hydrogen research

To further strengthen the research infrastructure of Singapore’s future hydrogen economy, CHI has selected eight promising projects for potential funding, and these projects are in two broad areas: disruptive research to achieve a quantum leap in hydrogen technologies, and creation of market-oriented prototypes to pave the way for the commercialisation of innovative hydrogen technologies.

Building a strong talent pool for a vibrant hydrogen economy

Dr Tan also highlighted the need to build a pipeline of talent that is ready for a low-carbon future. “Many new low-carbon technologies will have applications across multiple sectors, in energy and chemicals, chemical storage, marine bunkering, power generation and aviation. Existing talent in these industries would need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to seize new opportunities,” said Dr Tan.

CHI intends to further expand the talent pool for hydrogen professionals in Singapore. The Centre plans to recruit about 10 polymathic scholars with interdisciplinary expertise and train 10 PhD students to enhance its research capabilities and strengthen CHI’s current team of 32 principal investigators and 4 PhD students. CHI will also be introducing courses in hydrogen technologies to prepare learners for the future hydrogen economy.

To promote greater public awareness of the benefits of hydrogen energy, CHI has recently organised the “Hydrogen Innovation Challenge”. In this competition, student teams created Instagram reels to express their visions for Singapore’s transition to hydrogen energy. These videos were open for public voting and reviewed by a judging panel comprising experts in the field, and the shortlisted teams were then challenged with a quiz. Three winning teams received prizes during today’s official opening event. 

Partnering the industry to boost hydrogen transition

In his speech, Dr Tan emphasised the importance of strengthening collaborations between the industry, the research community, and the Government. “Industry stakeholders know the problems best and can improve the value proposition and industry relevance of research projects. At the end of the day, we want these projects to deliver commercial value. Our researchers complement industry participation with their domain expertise and thorough research methodologies, to achieve new breakthroughs in technological bottlenecks,” he noted.

To promote the adoption of hydrogen technologies, CHI has been actively engaging industry partners to leverage complementary strengths in a bid to accelerate innovation, scale up technologies more efficiently, and address complex challenges associated with hydrogen production, distribution, and utilisation.

CHI has established close collaborations with 17 industry partners - ranging from global companies to small and medium-size enterprises. For example, CHI researchers are working with Siemens Energy to develop a novel gas turbine technology that can utilise partially cracked ammonia as feedstock. In another project, CHI researchers are working with Chevron to develop a direct “liquid hydrogen carrier” production process via electrocatalysis.

CHI aims to further enhance its engagement with industry, and ultimately driving the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

Commending NUS, Temasek, and CHI for their efforts in supporting hydrogen research and manpower development, Dr Tan said, “With continued investment in industry relevant research and education, I believe we can cultivate a thriving hydrogen ecosystem, complemented by a skilled, adaptable, and diverse workforce ready for a low carbon future.”

-This is a press release from the National University of Singapore-