In a landmark move toward sustainable energy innovation, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Japan’s Niterra Co Ltd and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kenesjay Green Ltd (KGL). The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 15 at UWI’s St Augustine Campus, aims to revolutionize green hydrogen production through advanced Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) technology. This high-temperature electrolyser system, developed by Niterra, boasts a 30% higher efficiency compared to traditional methods, leveraging steam to generate hydrogen and oxygen. Trinidad and Tobago’s robust petrochemical infrastructure and access to process waste heat at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate make it an ideal location for Niterra’s pilot study. The initiative aligns with UWI’s Hydrogen Research Collaborative (H2RC), established in 2023 to foster academia-industry partnerships in building a viable hydrogen economy for the Caribbean. The partnership will establish a green hydrogen centre of excellence, conduct model-based studies, and develop a dedicated hydrogen laboratory at UWI. The project will also involve the installation and operation of production-scale SOEC electrolysers, with real-world performance data collected over two phases to scale up green hydrogen generation. The MoU was signed by Koichi Arimitsu of Niterra, Dr. Graham King of UWI, and Philip Julien of KGL, with key stakeholders from the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago in attendance. This collaboration marks a significant step in Trinidad and Tobago’s transition to sustainable energy, positioning the nation as a regional leader in green hydrogen research and low-carbon innovation.
