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online 9 Sep 05 Boost for NTU's green research by Lee U-Wen The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has partnered with a top multi-national company to tap into the US$600 billion ($1,005 billion) global environmental technology (ET) market. Under the agreement, Keppel Integrated Engineering (KIE) will provide a $1 million start-up fund over the next three years to develop ET projects in Singapore. The NTU will contribute its research and development (R&D) expertise and allow the use of its laboratories for the project. KIE is the environmental technology and engineering arm of local conglomerate Keppel Corporation. It recently made waves for being the first private company to build a NEWater factory — Singapore's fourth and largest — in Ulu Pandan. On the agenda for KIE and the NTU is to research ways to reduce operational and maintenance costs in thermal treatment plants. KIE chief executive Chua Chee Wui explained that such costs add up to about $50 million — a quarter of what's needed to run a plant for 20 years. "We want to focus on cost efficiency. If we are successful and can save even between $5 and $10 million, it would be good enough," he said yesterday. Another challenge is how to convert ash from incinerated waste into something commercially-viable. Currently, such ash is mostly used in landfills. Though there are already ways to turn them into material that could be used for paving roads, for instance, such technology is expensive, said Mr Chua. That's where the partnership hopes to come up with newer and cheaper methods of turning the ash into valuable by-products. Professor Pan Tso-Chien, dean of the NTU's School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, also spoke about the tie-up's benefits for students and faculty. "We can further our R&D — that's what a university is for. We can train students and let them go on internships. And by working with an industry player, we can open up the market for students for future employment." links Related articles on Singapore: green energy renewable energy, energy saving: issues, efforts, discussions |
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