Research
The Centre for Hydrogen and Carbon Innovations (CHCI) is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research and innovation in hydrogen technologies and carbon transformation. Through interdisciplinary research spanning hydrogen production, storage and utilisation, as well as carbon transformation and capture, CHCI aims to position Singapore at the forefront of global hydrogen and carbon innovations. Leveraging the National University of Singapore (NUS)’ strengths in education, research and entrepreneurship, the Centre fosters partnerships with industry, academia and government to accelerate technological breakthroughs, cultivate future talent, and enable practical solutions for a net-zero future.
Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production
CHCI aims to develop solutions that enables high efficiency production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, in order to meet the desired outcome of reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and support the nation towards net-zero carbon emission. Some of the initial areas of focus includes pursuing an electrochemical approach for efficient one-step production of high density hydrogen and the development of hybrid electrolysers using photo/thermo/electro catalysis for hydrogen production.
Hydrogen Storage
One of the key pathways and enablers for hydrogen economy to be established in Singapore is in the area of hydrogen storage. CHCI aims to develop technologies for the efficient, safe and scalable storage and release of hydrogen through dynamic catalysis for high efficiency hydrogenation and dehydrogenation and will pursue further research in advanced materials that can become commercially viable alternative options for hydrogen storage.
Hydrogen Carrier Systems and Utilisation
As a city state that is constrained by the lack of natural resources and land area, Singapore would need to rely on commercially viable, safe and efficient means for the transportation of hydrogen. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) and ammonia are promising candidates due to their ability to perform facile loading and unloading of hydrogen in a sustainable cyclical process. LOHCs are typically liquids or solids of low melting point that can be chemically hydrogenated and dehydrogenated under appropriate reaction conditions. CHCI aims to identify and synthesise organic molecules that can be hydrogenated / dehydrogenated. Another carrier is the ammonia. CHCI aims to develop end-to-end systems for ammonia combustion for energy generation. We aim to achieve high energy efficiency and cost-effective processes.
CHCI will be developing highly efficient systems that are able to serve dual purposes, as fuel cells for on-demand generation of electricity from hydrogen as well as electrolysers to generate hydrogen for storage and subsequent power conversion. These systems have the potential to help improve the reliability of the grid and overcome the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. CHCI will leverage advanced material research on catalysts that can provide improved power conversion efficiencies, achieve high durability and enable cost-effective electricity generation.
Hydrogen-Derived Sustainable Fuels
CHCI will be developing hydrogen-derived sustainable fuels, which offers a pathway to decarbonise the mobility industry by utilising hydrogen in the production of synthetic fuels or as a direct fuel source. This approach involves either producing SAF through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or other methods that combine hydrogen with captured carbon, or using hydrogen directly in fuel cells or as a fuel for combustion engines.
