The Singapore government is following up with the findings from two feasibility studies on low-carbon hydrogen and on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies respectively.
These technologies will help Singapore’s effort to meet their commitments and ambitions in climate action, as set out in the enhanced 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution and Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy and the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Both these studies had highlighted the pathways for low-carbon hydrogen and CCUS that could be relevant for Singapore, and the barriers to deployment that would need to be overcome.
The “Study of Hydrogen Imports and Downstream Applications for Singapore” was commissioned by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Energy Market Authority (EMA).
The study showed that hydrogen has the potential to diversify Singapore’s fuel mix towards low-carbon options for electricity generation, heavy transportation and some industrial processes.
Given Singapore’s limited renewable energy resources, it would be challenging to produce green hydrogen at scale using domestic green electricity, thus, Singapore would need to explore various supply pathways for price-competitive low-carbon hydrogen.
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The study on “Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilisation: Decarbonisation Pathways for Singapore’s Energy and Chemicals Sectors” was jointly commissioned by NCCS and EDB.
The study identified carbon dioxide emissions, mainly from power plants and industrial facilities, that could be captured and stored in suitable subsurface geological formations or converted into useful products.
The findings from these two studies will be used to inform existing Research, Development & Demonstration efforts, such as the $49 million Low Carbon Energy Research (LCER) Funding Initiative.
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It also aims to guide private sector consortiums, such as those led by Keppel DC, Chiyoda, and Itochua on the deployment of low-carbon solutions, and the development of the hydrogen supply chain.
The Singapore government says it welcomes more of such partnerships, and opportunities to pilot new technologies in sectors including maritime, aviation, mobility, industry and power sectors.
Following the release of both reports, Singapore will also seek to partner other countries to advance emerging low-carbon technological solutions.
To date, Singapore has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia on low-emissions technologies and an MOU with Chile on low-carbon hydrogen, and is actively in discussions with other like-minded countries.
