DOE inks pact with Aussie firm to explore hydrogen's potential as energy source

The Department of Energy (DOE) has signed an accord with Australia-based research and development company Star Scientific Ltd. to explore the potential of hydrogen as one of the country’s energy sources.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on January 27 by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Star Scientific senior adviser to the chairman Robert Briggs.

Under the MOU, the Philippine government and Star Scientific expressed their intention to co-work in exploring the use of hydrogen as a fuel for power generation, “as well as the role that it can play in the economy of the Philippines as a whole,” according to the DOE.

“The Parties will investigate hydrogen production in the Philippines in an effort to make the country energy independent so as to significantly reduce the country's CO2 emissions,” the MOU states.

In particular, the parties will work together to investigate:

• ways in which Star's HERO (Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser) technology can be used to convert existing power assets within the Philippines to unlimited zero-emissions hydrogen assets
• the viability of increased distribution of emission-free power by way of a Supercritical CO2 grid network powered by HERO technology
• desalination options for both existing and new systems throughout the Philippines through the use of the HERO technology

“I have often said that there could be a lot of potential for hydrogen for the local industry given that it is seen as the fuel of the future,” Cusi said.

“I thank the Australian government and Star Scientific for assisting us explore the potential of producing hydrogen via renewable sources and other energy assets. We are hoping to be able to utilize hydrogen as fuel for electric vehicles and as part of the country’s future energy mix,” he added.  —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News