Tackling the world’s next big energy challenge requires a generation of bold energy thinkers, which is why ExxonMobil is supporting a network of advanced research centers around the globe.
In Singapore, the search for technologies that harness new energy sources with fewer emissions is unfolding amid the city-state’s own strategy for sustainable development.
On Oct 31, ExxonMobil inked an agreement to be the first founding member of the newly-minted Singapore Energy Center, an effort led by the Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore to develop sustainable energy solutions for future global challenges.
This is the first ExxonMobil-supported energy center outside of the United States.
“With projected energy demand growth across Asia Pacific, it’s critical that the public and private sectors work together to advance scalable, next-generation energy technologies while reducing the environmental footprint often associated with energy production,” said Vijay Swarup, vice president of research and development at ExxonMobil Engineering and Research Company.
The company will contribute $10 million (S$14 million) over five years to support the center’s wide range of early-stage innovative research projects. Both universities are extending invitations to other leading companies to join the center, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations between academia and industry.
The scope of the center’s joint scientific research will span several core projects focusing on investigating bioscience; improving water use efficiency; and advancing carbon capture.
One potential project currently being explored for funding will look to nature’s biodiversity to discover novel materials and process designs that could result in low-carbon dioxide-emitting processes for producing fuels and chemicals. Other initiatives being explored include investigating technologies in carbon capture, utilization, and storage and analyzing processes that reduce water and energy consumption in manufacturing.
Indeed, while these yet-to-be developed breakthroughs could start from this Singapore partnership, they may ultimately serve a global community.
