NUS, NTU and ExxonMobil set up Singapore Energy Centre

THE National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have signed a memorandum of understanding with ExxonMobil to set up the Singapore Energy Centre.

The Centre will be set up early in 2019 by the two universities, which will co-lead the Centre. NTU will hold the directorship for the first two years, with NUS leading for the following two years. It will look at the global production and consumption of energy, research new ideas and develop a future talent pipeline. Its research topics will include energy production, energy efficiency, conversion and storage, climate change mitigation, adaptation, and access to energy and water. It is hoped that the Centre will help to foster long-term research partnerships between Singapore’s industry and academic institutions.

NUS and NTU professors, students and researchers will contribute their expertise and knowledge to the Centre, while ExxonMobil, as the founding industry partner, will support early-stage research projects. Its scientists and researchers will collaborate with their academic counterparts.

As part of its efforts to support future talent and leaders, the universities will offer an Energy Fellowship programme. Students will be supported to pursue research projects in line with the Centre’s goals.

“NUS is pleased to partner with ExxonMobil and NTU in this joint research initiative, which combines the rich scientific capabilities of both academia and industry to solve complex, real-world challenges. We will contribute our expertise in basic and applied engineering research to develop innovative sustainable energy solutions that will not only boost the competitiveness of Singapore and our industries in the region, but also improve overall environmental sustainability,” said Ho Teck Hua, NUS deputy president (research & technology) and Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor.

Vijay Swarup, vice president of research and development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company said that the Singapore Energy Centre was the first partnership outside of the US that ExxonMobil has been involved in.

“Through this collaboration with NTU and NUS, we hope to explore new areas of research that can help find efficient, scalable and sustainable ways to meet the world’s future energy needs,” he said.

NTU and NUS plan to expand the Singapore Energy Centre to include more industry partners, both local and international.