Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Trinasolar, a global provider of smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions, are working together to develop smart energy storage systems (ESS) that will improve efficiency, reliability, and economic viability in renewable energy applications.
(left) Prof Madhavi Srinivasan, Director of the Energy Research Institute @ NTU with Helena Li, Executive President, Trinasolar at the signing ceremony. Image Credit: Nanyang Technological University
As the global use of solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sources grows, energy storage technologies will become increasingly important in ensuring power grid stability and optimizing energy use.
The collaboration, led by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), intends to create AI-powered tools that help improve investment decisions, increase system stability through intelligent energy forecasting, and deploy smart optimization algorithms for various energy storage applications.
Through three strategic focus areas, the partnership aims to address major issues in smart energy storage by fusing NTU’s top energy innovation research with Trinasolar's proficiency in PV and ESS technologies.
1. Smart Investment Decision-making
NTU and Trinasolar will create a techno-economic modeling tool that combines meteorological information, market regulations, and electricity price trends to generate optimal storage configurations. This tool will give investors clear economic metrics, like return on investment (ROI) and payback periods, enabling better financial planning and risk mitigation. Conventional energy storage investments face uncertainties due to market volatility and changing regulations.
2. Ensuring System Stability with AI-Powered Forecasting
Energy management is difficult since renewable energy output is erratic by nature. The team will create machine learning-driven forecasting models to forecast local electricity demand, market price variations, and solar and wind energy generation. By using these data-driven insights, energy storage systems can modify charge and discharge cycles on their own, maximizing cost savings and guaranteeing a steady supply-demand balance.
3. Smart Optimisation Algorithms
Energy storage systems need to function well in various settings, including commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage and large-scale battery farms. The alliance will create sophisticated energy management algorithms to improve performance in areas like energy arbitrage, peak shaving, and ancillary services. Energy storage systems will be able to adjust in real time, thanks to these self-learning algorithms, increasing asset utilization and profitability.
NTU and Trinasolar confirmed their association by signing a technology research collaboration agreement.
This partnership between NTU and Trinasolar reflects our commitment to advancing energy technologies that will support global efforts towards a low-carbon future. NTU has deep links with industry players and a strong track record in successful industry collaborations for renewable energy powergrids, thus enabling smooth commercialization pathways for any intellectual property developed in our joint partnerships. By aligning cutting-edge research with industry needs, we want to develop impactful solutions that build a more sustainable and energy-resilient future.
Lam Khin Yong, Vice President (Industry) Professor, Nanyang Technological University
Trinasolar’s executive president, Helena Li, emphasized the company’s dedication to research and development partnerships to produce innovative solar solutions.
As one of the global leading manufacturers of PV and ESS solutions with 30 world records under our belt, Trinasolar brings to the table its expertise in global solar-storage market trends and cutting-edge technologies. We are proud to collaborate with NTU, a top-tier research institution renowned for its academic excellence. This initiative aims to deliver tangible value to energy storage customers, including cost optimization, improved return on investment (ROI), and enhanced system reliability.
Helena Li, Executive President, Trinasolar
Professor Madhavi Srinivasan, Executive Director of ERI@N, also mentioned that energy storage is a major factor in the uptake of renewable energy.
By combining NTU’s expertise in renewable energy and energy storage research with Trinasolar’s global leadership in solar and storage solutions, this partnership will drive real-world impact, helping shape the future of energy resilience and sustainability through advanced AI applications.
Madhavi Srinivasan, Executive Director, ERI@N
The partnership will be directed by NTU Associate Professor Xu Yan, Cluster Director of Smart Grids and Microgrids at ERI@N and Director of the Centre for Power Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Trinasolar and NTU Singapore are committed to expanding their partnership in AI-powered energy storage applications and developing new solutions to satisfy the changing needs of the renewable energy market.
Both parties share the goal of advancing the global energy transition and sustainable development, which would open the door to a more intelligent and resilient energy future.