The SEC is a consortium founded by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The centre aims to create a framework for a long-term partnership between the universities and the industry on both technological and socioeconomic issues in sustainable energy development. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) has joined the centre as a research performer in 2021. SEC connects industrial partners to a broader talent pool.

It builds upon the reputation of Singapore as a living laboratory to explore scalable near-term and long-term solutions of global significance and regional importance. The centre leverages on the research infrastructure and the collective research experience of the academics from the two world-class universities and their affiliated research institutes on each campus – to develop talent pools and solutions of the highest value for its members. The corporate industry member can therefore work jointly on research projects with a common interest (basic science questions) or individually with the universities on proprietary research through expedited research agreement arrangements.