Hyundai Motor Group and Singapore open the door to developing a hydrogen energy ecosystem and future manufacturing innovations

The Korean automotive giant will collaborate with Singapore’s NTU to develop alternative energy sources, and it will also establish a tripartite laboratory with the university and A*STAR to research industrial advancements in AI, robotics and 3D printing.   

The three-year partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will focus on the hydrogen energy business and advanced energy systems. The technical solutions to be explored should be suitable for the unique, urban environment of Singapore. 

As a compact city-state with no natural resources other than sun, sea and trees, Singapore could benefit from the sustainable hydrogen-society ideal as part of its progress towards carbon neutrality. 

Hyundai’s expertise and experimental experience in hydrogen production and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles would be useful for this high-level collaboration. The ease of installation/implementation, operational safety and overall feasibility of hydrogen to reduce Singapore’s heavy reliance on natural gas for (95 percent of) national-grid power generation would drive the research and development in this case.

The corporate lab programme jointly established by Hyundai Motor Group, NTU and A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) straddles the promising midpoint between versions 1.0 and 2.0 of Singapore’s Smart Nation vision, which outlines the country’s approach to build a thriving digital future for all. 

Professor Lam Khin Yong, vice president (Industry) of NTU, said: “Close collaboration with industry is vital in developing relevant solutions to address real world issues, including the race to carbon neutrality.” 

Hyun Sung Park, vice president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS), said: “We aim to accelerate our research in the field of innovative technologies, ultimately enhancing the commercial viability of our sustainable mobility solutions.”

Singapore's Second Minister for Trade & Industry, Dr Tan See Leng (fourth from right), with Hyundai Motor president Jaehoon Chang (third from left) and senior representatives from HMGICS, NTU, A*STAR, and the South Korean government at the signing ceremony.

Read More: HMGICS has launched its corporate social responsibility programme for Singapore, which includes a partnership with the President's Challenge

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