Energy Studies Institute

### Social Media

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EnergyStudiesInstitute/?ref=page\_internalTwitter - https://twitter.com/esi\_energyvibes?lang=en

## Summary

A multi-disciplinary, autonomous research institute established within the National University of Singapore in November 2007.

## Vision

To be the leading institute for strategic research and a global thought leader in energy policy.

## Mission

* To conduct research on energy policies and their national, regional and global implications.
* To promote discussion and advance collective understanding on issues related to energy policy development.

## Initiatives

### **ASIA-EUROPE ENERGY POLICY RESEARCH NETWORK**

The Asia-Europe Energy Policy Research Network (AEEPRN), established in 2012, is the first international network that specifically brings together scholars researching Asian and European energy policies. ESI is one of eight universities/institutes involved in this network. The others are: Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds (UK); Department of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University (UK); Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, University of Oxford (UK); International Studies Division, Korea University (Korea); Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (Japan); Beijing Energy Economics Research Base, Beijing University of Technology (China); and Chatham House: Royal Institute of International Affairs, London (UK).

The goal of this network to conduct objective, cutting-edge research that contributes to financially viable and environmentally sustainable energy use within and between Asia and Europe. There are many vital issues to discuss, as Asia and Europe—despite their differences—are confronted with many similar critical energy challenges, namely:

* Reconciling both regions’ predicted growth in energy consumption rates with climate change policy objectives.
* Creating the necessary socio-technical and institutional environments for the economy and society’s transition towards low-carbon energy paradigms.
* Building on each region’s significant potential for developing green energy sectors, i.e. renewables and energy efficiency/saving technologies.
* Developing new research methodologies for assessing energy security on an international comparative basis from theoretical/conceptual and empirical perspectives.
* Contributing to international energy market stability and order.

The network focuses on three areas of research, namely: climate change mitigation, electricity markets and the transportation sector. In this context, the key research questions are:

* What are the challenges facing Asia and Europe as both attempt to move towards a low-carbon future?
* In which areas can Asia and Europe work closer together to address the common and prevailing energy challenges facing the two regions?

ESI organised the first inaugural AEEPRN conference in Singapore in May 2012 on the topic “Transitioning from Fossil Fuels? European and Asian Perspectives” and actively participated in the subsequent 2013, 2014 and 2015 conferences held in Beijing, Leeds and Seoul, respectively. On behalf of the network, ESI also created and is maintaining the AEEPRN website (www.aeeprn.com).;

The purpose of the Asia Europe Energy Policy Research Network is to increase contacts between Asian and European energy scholars to support greater cross-disciplinary dialogues. This is the first international network that specifically brings together researchers doing Asian and European energy policy research.

There are many vital issues to discuss, as Asia and Europe – despite their differences – are confronted with many similar critical energy challenges, namely:

* To reconcile both regions’ predicted growth in energy consumption rates with climate change policy objectives.
* To create the necessary socio-technical and institutional environments for the economy and society’s transition towards low-carbon energy paradigms.
* To build on each region’s significant potential for developing green energy sectors, i.e., renewables and energy efficiency/saving technologies.
* To develop new research methodologies for assessing energy security on an international comparative basis from theoretical/conceptual and empirical perspectives.
* To contribute to international energy market stability and order.

The research will focus on the three broad areas that are most relevant to government policy-makers, investors and the business community, namely:

* Climate change mitigation
* Competitive electricity market design
* Reduction of fossil fuel consumption in the transport sector

The initial eight institutions are:

* Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore (Singapore);
* Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds (UK);
* Department of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University (UK);
* Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, University of Oxford (UK);
* International Studies Division, Korea University (Korea);
* Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (Japan);
* Beijing Energy Economics Research Base, Beijing University of Technology (China);
* Chatham House, London (UK).

### **Maritime Energy Futures Programme**

The Maritime Energy Futures programme cuts across both the Energy Geopolitics and Energy and Competitiveness tracks. ESI is in the process of developing expertise on maritime-related energy issues that have implications for Singapore as an international maritime hub. The key issues to be examined include the opening of the Arctic in terms of shipping routes and resource exploitation, securing Asia’s maritime energy supply chain, seabed resources development in Asia, and China’s ambition to become a maritime power, including its 21st-century maritime Silk Road initiative.

This programme aims to build on and reinforce Singapore’s status as a premier research hub for maritime and energy-related policy issues. Activities and outputs will be in the form of networking, research, events organisation, publications and outreach.

Over-Arching Questions:

• How will the new infrastructure connectivity plans, the opening of new sea routes and maritime technological advancements affect Asia’s energy supply chain and Singapore’s status as a premier international maritime and energy hub??

• What are the implications of China’s rising maritime ambitions for Asia’s maritime and energy security?

• How will the evolving maritime security challenges in Asia affect the region’s energy supply chain and prospects for seabed resource development?

• What are the economic, commercial and political challenges and opportunities facing Singapore with the opening of the Arctic in terms of shipping routes and resource development?

### **Energy Modelling Programme**

Since the 1970s, many energy system models have been developed to support energy and environment policy-making at the national, regional and global levels. Energy system modelling and analysis can provide essential quantitative insights into the new challenges of decarbonisation, energy security and cost-efficiency in the 21st century. Integrated energy system modelling frameworks can assist energy policy-makers by enabling analysis that is both integrated and focused at different scales and time periods, so as to make improved decisions and trade-offs in conditions of pervasive uncertainty.

The global energy landscape has changed significantly in the last decade, and in Asia there is a growing thirst for energy that inherently comes with urbanisation and economic growth. It is the aim of ESI’s Energy Modelling Programme to develop integrated energy system modelling and analysis frameworks to support Singapore’s energy and environment policy-making. This integrated framework comprises several energy modules, including: the top-down model, bottom-up model, sectoral model, behavioural analysis, projection and scenario analysis, environmental effect model and integrated assessment model.

The specific goals of this programme are: (1) to build up Singapore’s capability and expertise in energy system modelling; (2) to create a knowledge hub for analysing regional and global energy related issues; and (3) to establish a platform for connecting global energy modelling experts and for holding global energy debates.

### **Gas Programme**

Many new dynamics are emerging in East Asian gas markets, such as increasing import dependence, emergence of shale gas, Russia’s energy pivot to East Asia, gas market liberalisation in China, Japan and possibly India, change in the gas pricing benchmark from oil to spot prices, gas market integration, and gas hub initiatives in other East Asian countries. Further research into such issues will make important contributions to the literature and to policy debates in Singapore and other East Asian countries.

This Programme recently concluded a five-year “Asian Gas Trading Model” project as well as four MTI-sponsored projects on unconventional gas. Currently, there are three ongoing projects: Gas Trading Hub Issues in East Asia, China’s Gas Market, and Gas Trading Modelling, focussing on East Asia.

Going forward, the Gas Programme aims to become internationally known as a centre for excellence for East Asian natural gas market research. Planned projects include: the World Gas Trading Model with a Focus on East Asia; Gas Market Development in ASEAN, China, India and Other East Asia Countries; Transition to Hub Indexation and Hub Initiatives in East Asia and Other Regions; and the Singapore Gas Hub Development.

### **Nuclear Governance**

The Energy Studies Institute (ESI) of NUS is undertaking a research project entitled “Nuclear Safety Governance: Best Practices, Lessons Learned and Future Prospects”. This two-year project began in January 2020. It builds on the previous project “Policy and Law for Nuclear Safety and Security”, which involved collaboration between ESI and NUS’s Centre for International Law and ended in June 2019.

Dr. Philip Andrews-Speed, Senior Principal Fellow at ESI, is the principal investigator for the project.

## Get in Touch

29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
Block A, #10-01
Singapore 119620
Tel: (65) 6516 2000
Fax: (65) 6775 1831
Email: [[1]]

## References

1. ↑ About, Energy Studies Institute Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/EnergyStudiesInstitute/about/?ref=page\_internal, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 About Us, Mission and Values, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/about-us, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
3. ↑ AEEPRN, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/programmes/aeeprn, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
4. ↑ Martime Energy Futures Programme, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/programmes/maritime-energy-futures, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
5. ↑ Energy Modelling Programme, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/programmes/energy-modelling, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
6. ↑ Gas Programme, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/programmes/gas, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
7. ↑ Nuclear Governance, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/programmes/nuclear-governance, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020
8. ↑ Contact Us, Energy Studies Institute, https://esi.nus.edu.sg/about-us/contact-us, Accessed on 27 Dec 2020