Emerging technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) which can potentially help us further reduce our carbon emissions in the longer-term. Advances in geothermal technology have also opened up the possibility of geothermal power generation here, for which studies are currently being conducted.

Technology Overview

Hydrogen

• Hydrogen has emerged as a key potential decarbonisation pathway for Singapore to support its international climate commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• It has the potential to diversify our fuel mix across a number of applications, such as electricity generation and transport (e.g. in ships and aircrafts). If produced from renewable energy sources, it could also help to decarbonise power generation and emissions-heavy sectors.
• Many hydrogen technologies are still under development, and a global supply chain has yet to be established. Nevertheless, there has been strong interest internationally from the public and private sectors to accelerate the development of hydrogen across the value chain.

Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS)

• This is the process of capturing carbon dioxide produced from emission sources such as power plants, and converting it into usable products (e.g. building materials, chemicals and synthetic fuels), or transporting it to a storage site and depositing it to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
• However, there are challenges in deploying CCUS domestically. For instance, Singapore lacks any known geological formation that is suitable for the permanent storage of carbon dioxide underground. Technologies for CCUS are relatively nascent and costs are also considered high at the moment.

Geothermal

• Conventional geothermal technology relies on hot permeable reservoirs that are fairly close to the surface. This may not be suitable for Singapore as due to our lack of quality resources such as hot water or steam at shallower depths.
• However, recent developments in geothermal technology may allow us to harness geothermal energy at greater depths with minimal impact to the environment and safety.

What is the Government doing?

• We have commissioned studies to better understand the technical and economic feasibility of importing hydrogen and its use in potential downstream applications in Singapore, and the potential for CCUS pathways to reduce Singapore’s carbon emissions in the longer term. The key findings were published in June 2021.
• We are working with the industry and the research community to find ways to overcome the challenges of adopting hydrogen and CCUS technologies. Under the Low-Carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative (LCER FI), the Singapore Government awarded $55 million to support 12 research, development and demonstration projects on low-carbon energy technology solutions. An additional funding of $129 million was committed for Phase 2 of the LCER programme to further low-carbon technologies research.
• Working with Nanyang Technological University and various agencies to carry out exploratory studies on Singapore's geothermal potential.
• At the Singapore International Energy Week 2022, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong outlined Singapore’s national strategy to develop hydrogen as a major decarbonisation pathway, to support Singapore’s international climate commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
• EMA, together with the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, are inviting interested parties to submit proposals under an Expression of Interest (EOI) to build, own and operate low or zero-carbon power generation and bunkering solutions in Jurong Island, Singapore.

What can businesses or researchers do?

• Share your ideas here on how we can leverage low-carbon alternatives to enable decarbonisation.

Other Resources

• Singapore's National Hydrogen Strategy
• Study of "Hydrogen Imports and Downstream Applications for Singapore"
  
• Study on "Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilisation: Decarbonisation Pathways for Singapore’s Energy and Chemicals Sectors"
  

Watch this video on Singapore's National Hydrogen Strategy.