NTU's $20m plan for eco-friendly campus that targets to cut waste, energy, water by 35%

The plan, in partnership with JTC Corporation and supported by the Economic Development Board, is to turn NTU's campus into a mega test-bed for research projects in green technologies.

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Here is the press release from Nanyang Technological University:

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is ramping up its efforts to transform into one of the most environmentally friendly university campuses in the world.

Under the newly launched EcoCampus initiative, NTU aims to achieve a bold 35 per cent reduction in its energy and water usage, carbon footprint and waste output by year 2020.

In partnership with Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) and JTC Corporation, the EcoCampus initiative will transform NTU's 200-hectare campus into a super test bed for research projects in cutting-edge green technologies. They range from smart building systems and renewable energy, to electric transportation and water conservation technologies, complementing the vibrant sustainability R&D community in the adjoining 50-hectare CleanTech Park developed by JTC Corporation.

EcoCampus will commence with 12 key research projects. Companies, organisations and entrepreneurs are invited to submit and test bed their innovative green ideas at the NTU campus or JTC's CleanTech Park. The $20 million initiative will be funded by a combination of EDB's Living Lab programme, research grants and contributions from industry partners, JTC and NTU.

NTU's EcoCampus initiative was launched this morning in a ceremony graced by Mr S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry.

At the ceremony, NTU Provost Professor Freddy Boey, JTC's Chief Executive Officer Mr Png Cheong Boon and EDB's Managing Director Mr Yeoh Keat Chuan, witnessed the signing and unveiling of three plaques representing the three core values of the initiative: Research, Living Lab and Industry Participation.

Professor Boey said it is only natural for NTU to champion the new EcoCampus effort, as the university is a recognised leader for sustainability research, having attracted more than $1.2 billion in competitive research funding in the area.

"The EcoCampus initiative is a bold step forward by NTU and a demonstration of our goal to help keep Singapore "future ready" through the use of sustainable technologies. Through this initiative to be implemented campus-wide at NTU, we seek to increase the liveability and inclusivity of Singaporean communities by researching, testbedding and implementing the latest sustainable technologies," said Prof Boey.

"We believe that this EcoCampus initiative has great potential to act as a viable model for sustainability, to be mirrored by other business parks and campuses around Singapore, and together, we can spark a "green campus revolution"."

World leading multinational companies keen to be part of this ground-breaking effort include Siemens, 3M, Murata, GDF-Suez, Holcim, as well as local firms such as Joule-Air, Alfa Tech and Wifinity.

NTU, together with EDB and JTC, will also work with other national agencies including Building Construction Authority (BCA), Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA), to develop practical solutions that will put Singapore in the forefront of research on energy efficiency and sustainable development in the region.

"We are pleased with the strong interest from many international and local companies in the EcoCampus, the first project of its kind in Asia that enables the integration of R&D, demonstration and deployment of sustainability solutions in one location," said Mr Yeoh Keat Chuan, EDB's Managing Director.

"As a national-level Living Lab, the EcoCampus will provide a strategic platform for companies and NTU to co-develop and commercialise novel solutions for adoption in Singapore and beyond. We look forward to many new exciting partnerships between industry and NTU, which has strong technical expertise in sustainability and energy management," Mr Yeoh added.

Mr Png Cheong Boon, CEO of JTC Corporation, said, "We are delighted with the launch of the EcoCampus initiative, and to have NTU as a strategic partner in our journey towards sustainability. The EcoCampus initiative will expand the opportunities for businesses to generate and test-bed new green ideas at the NTU campus and JTC's CleanTech Park. We look forward to the collaborations with NTU and the industry as we strive to push the boundaries of green innovation."

The EcoCampus initiative will focus on buildings and campus-level sustainability solutions that can be adopted in upcoming developments. The effort will be centred on six key areas: Information Management, Green Buildings, Renewable Energy, Transportation, Waste & Water, and User Behaviour for Energy Efficiency. It will also focus on research and development of technologies that can be demonstrated and potentially commercialised in near future.

EcoCampus has two phases. Phase One is to build innovative demonstration projects, which are then benchmarked and analysed. If the technologies are found to deliver high-impact energy efficiency and sustainability, large-scale implementation will be done in Phase Two.

Professor Alexander Zehnder, Chair of NTU's Sustainable Earth Office, said the EcoCampus initiative will bring many benefits to both the private and government sector.

"NTU is taking the first step in the journey to become the most sustainable and energy-efficient campus in Singapore, and also strives to be among the best worldwide," said Prof Zehnder, who is also a member of NTU's Board of Trustees. "The research results and experiences gained from the initiative will be shared with the various ministries, agencies and industries, and they will hold great potential economic opportunities for Singapore."