Singapore's power engineering capabilities will get a boost with a $20 million research programme focusing on next-generation energy technologies. Known as the Exploiting Distributed Generation (EDGE) programme, it will focus on building capabilities in distributed energy technologies to prepare Singapore for an increasingly decentralised energy landscape. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing announced this at the Singapore International Energy Week 2018 today.

(From left to right) Mr Bernard Nee, Deputy Chief Executive, EMA; Mr Ngaim Shih Chun, Chief Executive, EMA; Mr Chan Chun Sing; Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT; and A/Prof Ivan Lee, Vice President (Industry & Community), SIT at the Memorandum of Agreement held at SIEW 2018. (photo credit: Energy Market Authority)

New energy technologies are transforming the traditional way power is generated and transmitted via the power grid. With more distributed energy resources such as solar and micro-grids coming into place, there is an increasing need to have the capabilities to manage and integrate them with the national power system. Hence, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) have collaborated on this research programme to boost capabilities in this area.

Under this partnership, companies and researchers from all Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will have the opportunity to participate in grant calls and develop innovative new technologies and capabilities in the areas of micro-grid design, distributed energy optimisation and management, and differentiated power-quality systems.

EDGE will also leverage test-bedding platforms such as the Pulau Ubin Micro-grid to raise the commercialisation prospects of successful research outcomes. Grant awardees will be able to implement their projects in a realistic and controlled environment to test out the viability of their ideas. Successful solutions can then be deployed on a larger scale at the upcoming SIT@Punggol campus micro-grid when it is completed in 2023. SIT, with its Electrical Power Engineering programme and future campus micro-grid that is in the heart of the Punggol Digital District, is well-placed to push the frontiers in distributed generation technologies.

Mr Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive of EMA, said: "The energy sector is seeing exciting changes with new energy technologies. Future power sector landscapes could evolve from today’s conventional centralised power plants to distributed sources such as solar installations and micro-power grids. Singapore would need to develop solutions and capabilities to manage decentralised sources of energy.”

Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT, said: "As Singapore’s first university of applied learning, SIT is intent on developing innovative solutions to address the challenges in energy and sustainability. Through EDGE, we aim to strengthen SIT's micro-grid capabilities and create an effective nationwide living lab. Here, industry and educational institutions can collaborate to develop new technologies, as well as train students and workers in the energy sector." SIT currently offers Singapore’s only dedicated undergraduate and master degree programmes in Electrical Power Engineering.

The first R&D grant call under EDGE opens today and will close on 23 January 2019. The five-year programme is co-funded by the National Research Foundation's Research Innovation and Enterprise 2020 Plan, SIT as well as industry players from the power sector. Visit www.singaporetech.edu.sg/EDGE for more information on EDGE’s inaugural grant call.