UWI joins partnership for Green Hydrogen Initiative

The UWI has formalised a memorandum of understanding with Niterra Co Ltd of Japan and Caribbean energy transition company, Kenesjay Green Limited (KGL), for a green hydrogen initiative in Trinidad and Tobago: the H2- TTransform Project.

UWI St Augustine’s Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Bheshem Ramlal (centre), shakes hands with Chairman of Kenesjay Green Limited Mr Philip Julien (left), and Mr Tadashi Watanabe, Director of Energy Business Strategy at Niterra Co, Ltd, at the signing ceremony for the MOU. PHOTO: ANEEL KARIM

This project represents a major milestone in Trinidad and Tobago’s journey toward sustainable energy transformation, and positions the country as a regional leader in green hydrogen research, technology development, and low-carbon innovation.

The partnership will develop and pilot advanced solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC) technology, a high-temperature electrolyser designed to significantly improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production. Niterra’s SOEC system utilises steam to generate hydrogen and oxygen and has demonstrated up to 30 percent higher efficiency compared to conventional electrolysers.

Recognising Trinidad and Tobago’s robust petrochemical infrastructure and access to process waste heat, Niterra identified the country as an ideal site for its hydrogen technology pilot study. The company engaged The UWI as its academic research partner and Kenesjay Green Limited as its green energy industry collaborator, together launching the H2-TTransform Project.

This initiative embodies the vision of The UWI’s Hydrogen Research Collaborative (H2RC), established in 2023 to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in developing a hydrogen economy for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.

The partnership will focus on two major components:

1. Establishment of a Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence: Building upon the existing H2RC framework and Trinidad’s National Green Hydrogen Road Map, this centre will conduct model-based studies on green hydrogen systems, and support the creation of a hydrogen laboratory at UWI St Augustine for research and innovation.
2. Facilitation of the Pilot Study: The project will involve the installation and operation of production-scale SOEC electrolysers and the collection of performance data over two phases, with a view to scaling up green hydrogen generation.

The MOU was signed by Mr Koichi Arimitsu, General Manager of Energy and Environment at Niterra Co Ltd; Dr Graham King, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UWI St Augustine; and Mr Philip Julien, Chairman of Kenesjay Green Limited. The signing ceremony was hosted at The UWI’s Faculty of Engineering and attended by senior representatives of all three organisations.