Opening in July, first of six centres will focus on sustainable energy
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 2 Jun 09;
ENERGY research gets a boost with an ambitious plan launched today by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to find sustainable ways to meet mankind's energy needs for the future.
The first of six research centres under the university's proposed Energy Research Institute@NTU (ERI@N) will open next month, to explore areas such as advanced fuel cell technology, wind and tidal energy, and charge storage.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy Research cost $60 million to set up, and was funded by NTU, the Economic Development Board and various private sector investors.
It will be housed for now in a 1,000 sq m space at NTU's Research Techno Plaza, and will eventually have about 70 scientists and research associates collaborating on multidisciplinary projects encompassing economics, science and policy studies.
Over the next two years, five more research centres will be set up to study areas such as geothermal and solar-thermal energy, improving energy efficiency in maritime transportation, and effective policy instruments to address energy security.
'In these times of economic and political uncertainty, attention has been firmly focused on energy security and its impact on society,' said NTU's provost, Professor Bertil Andersson, in an interview with The Straits Times yesterday.
'Adding to already existing concerns about climate change, the search for new energy sources and improving energy efficiency is growing apace.'
The initial investment will be increased fivefold - to $300 million - as the facility is expanded, Prof Andersson added.
Associate Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, head of materials technology at NTU's School of Materials Science and Engineering, said ERI@N would focus on academic excellence, working with local industry and technology transfer, to ensure that advancements do not just stay on the bench.
A current project involves a collaboration between NTU's College of Engineering and Atlantis Resources Corporation, a world leader in tidal current energy generation technology, to design more energy- efficient water turbines, a spokesman for the company said.
Prof Mhaisalkar, a co-director of ERI@N, said research would look at how to reduce the sound produced by turbines, optimise its energy output, and explore the use of lighter materials.
Plans are also afoot to move the institute into the 55ha Jalan Bahar clean tech park, which is being developed as the first business park for clean technologies, starting in two years.
Singapore has identified clean energy technologies as a growth area for the economy, contributing $1.7 billion and creating 7,000 jobs by 2015.
Prof Andersson said: 'The last 25 years have brought us the computer, Internet and mobile phone.
'In the next 25 years, it is clear that the area of biggest focus will be the energy sector - how we move, heat and cool ourselves.'
