Hydrogen energy leading the path
Hydrogen is the current highlight as a future energy option because of its clean and stable properties, Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) president Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura remarked, adding that demand will be wide and consumed for large-scale power generation, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as well as heating demand in the industry sector.
“Thus, the hydrogen demand potential in the future, such as 2030 to 2050, will be significant,” Nishimura said in his preface on ERIA’s Research Project Report 2019: Demand and Supply Potential of Hydrogen Energy in East Asia - Phase 2.
For Sarawak which may eventually become a producer of hydrogen energy, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted that the state could join the league of hydrogen- producing nations by 2050 should it succeed in tapping into the potential of its resources to produce this renewable energy source.
“The EU Hydrogen study cited that by 2030-2050, the (hydrogen) market would be about US$11 trillion,” Abang Johari said during a webinar on ‘Sarawak 2021 Budget: Towards a High Income Society in 2030’ in November 2020.
“During that period, Australia would be the main country that would export hydrogen, and I think we (Sarawak) could be part of that league to produce hydrogen.”
To note, earlier that month, Sarawak Energy and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising a collaboration to explore the commercial production of green hydrogen and its value supply chain in Asia.
The signing marked a significant milestone in Sarawak’s effort to scale up and venture into energy export with hydrogen as an energy carrier to meet global clean energy demand and position Sarawak as the hub for the hydrogen value chain.
Commenting on the memorandum of understanding, the Chief Minister said the Sarawak Government was always supportive of hydrogen-related collaborations and research as it firmly believes in the future of hydrogen as a competitive fuel source.
“As you know, we have started with Sarawak Energy and the relevant parties to explore the potential of hydrogen and how to produce hydrogen based on the renewable energy resources available in Sarawak.
“I am confident hydrogen has a key role in a sustainable energy future although production cost is currently high.
“Over time and with efficient production technology, there is a possibility that the (hydrogen) production cost will reduce so that it is competitive with other available fuels for the world.
“It is my hope therefore that clean energy becomes our main target in our process to transform our economy and from Sarawak’s perspective, add value to the resources that we have.
“We can exploit its potential based on the world’s need and as a green approach.”
During the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia 2020 (IGEM 2020), Sarawak Energy’s group chief executive officer Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili shared that Sarawak is blessed with abundant renewable hydropower potential that can be harnessed to produce low carbon hydrogen and is well positioned to become a significant hydrogen player in the global hydrogen value chain.
“Hydrogen is already recognised globally as a key enabler in energy decarbonisation and ultimately, climate change mitigation,” Sharbini said.
“If all players work together, we can benefit collectively from technology improvements and economies of scale, driving down costs of the hydrogen value chain and increasing uptake in the coming years.
“We thank the Government of Sarawak for their trust in allowing Sarawak Energy to play a pivotal role through research in the development or application of technologies that will alter the energy utilisation landscape and progress a green hydrogen economy for Sarawak and beyond.”
To recap, Sarawak Energy has been entrusted to lead a state-funded research project on hydrogen’s commercial and public application.
According to Sarawak Energy, this was based on the premise that hydrogen could become the primary fuel of choice for areas such as the transportation sector and energy storage as the technology matures and becomes more commercially attractive in the future.
Sarawak Energy now produces green hydrogen through electrolysis at its integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in Kuching. It is capable of fuelling up to five fuel cell buses and 10 fuel cell cars per day.