Study trip to International Research Center for Hydrogen Energy (Kyushu University) and Takasago Hydrogen Park
27-28 March 2025
On 27 March 2025, the Vice-Director of the International Research Center for Hydrogen Energy, Professor Masamichi Nishihara, hosted CHI’s visit. He gave an overview of their centre’s various research and educational activities. This was followed by active discussions on sharing experiences and possible research collaborations. Then he brought us to their “Hydrogen Society Showroom” where CHI learnt about advances in hydrogen energy-related technologies such as fuel cells. We also had a first-hand experience of seeing a demonstration prototype of an end-to-end solution for a hydrogen car from hydrogen production using electrolysers to a hydrogen refuelling station. Finally, the lab tour ended with a comfortable ride in their hydrogen-powered car equipped with their latest fuel cell technologies, which has the smaller fuel-cell engine in size. We appreciate Professor Masamichi Nishihara’s kind hospitality and hope that we can invite him to visit NUS in the future.
The next day, we travelled to the Takasago Hydrogen Park for a tour, which was hosted by the Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific and organised by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) SIEWConnects@Kobe. We experienced Japan’s latest advancements in the design and manufacturing of hydrogen-compatible gas turbines. Following the trip, we were treated to a series of welcome addresses by Mr Puah Kok Keong (Chief Executive, EMA) and Mr Takao Tsukui (Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Power).
We also gain insights about Japan’s energy plan from Mr Masanori Tsuruda (Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan). Last but not least, Mr Masaru Tsuchiya (Partner, McKinsey & Company) moderated a panel discussion on “Unlocking Pathways for Energy Transition in Asia Pacific” We learnt a lot from Mr Keisuke Sadamori (Director, Energy Markets and Security, International Energy Agency), Mr Hiroki Sekine (Managing Executive Officer, Global Head of Infrastructure and Environment Finance Group, Japan Bank for International Cooperation) and Mr Vincent Lam (Head of Gas & LNG Commercial, Sembcorp Industries).
