A month in Singapore is a peek into the future.

The images of snow from the Norwegians news cannot be more far away from the warm humidity I experience here in Singapore.

I am spending one month as a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of the best universities in the world and listed as the number 22 according to the World University Rankings 2018.

The impression of a university projected towards the future is everywhere, from the several slogans one can read ("transformative education and multidisciplinary research to nurture effective global leaders, impact society and transform lives for the better"), to new sections of buildings continuously under construction in the campus.

Here I collaborate with a scientist at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in addition to giving seminars and visit other facilities like the Energy Research Institute of Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

It is an exciting opportunity to learn about the activities going on in the country in the field of renewable energy. Singapore’s small size and lack of resources means that the country rely almost entirely on energy import.

Lately, this has provided a chance to look for innovative solutions. For instance, taking advantage of a tropical climate, Singapore is trying to improve its energy competitiveness and sustainability through solar photovoltaic technologies. In particular research is being done to overcome Singapore's space constraints, with the installation of the world’s largest floating solar photovoltaic testbed at Tengeh reservoir.

Energy storage, smart grid and energy efficiency in buildings are other key research areas outlined in the national Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 plan.

More news will follow about this, now it is time to go back to work!

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