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Brunei: Hydrogen-based projects pack endless possibilities
THE potential benefits and opportunities on offer for Brunei Darussalam from the ongoing global hydrogen supply demonstration project between the sultanate and Japan were highlighted during two seminars that recently took place at two local universities.
The seminars on the utilisation of hydrogen took place at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) on September 4 and at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) on September 5.
Both seminars were co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam together with a consortium of companies called Advanced Hydrogen Energy Chain Association for Technology Development (AHEAD), Chiyoda Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation.
The UTB seminar saw a speech delivered by UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman who noted the current construction of the hydrogenation pilot plant at Sungai Liang Industrial Park (SPARK) is designed to produce the world’s first international supply of liquefied hydrogen from Brunei to Japan.
“Should their production go commercial within the next 10 years, think of the endless possibilities that this green technology could offer to us,” she said.
“Not only will it reduce the number of airborne pollutants and lessen the environmental burden, but such shift or diversification to a new energy source also promotes new market demand and creates more jobs for our people.
“By taking advantage of this opportunity, Brunei Darussalam will be on the path towards producing a dynamic and sustainable economy from the indirect financial, environmental, infrastructure and security growth as formulated in the Brunei Vision 2035,” she added.
“It also encourages UTB to continue producing a highly skilled, knowledge-based population by striving to improve research capabilities and building rapport with relevant collaborators and stakeholders,” she said.
During the seminar at UTB, Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Motohiko Kato emphasised the increasing potential of hydrogen as a new energy source, and encouraged Bruneians to take advantage of the currently ongoing global hydrogen supply chain demonstration project between Brunei Darussalam and Japan, led by AHEAD, to assist in the diversification of Brunei’s economy. The ambassador affirmed that there is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Brunei to consider, and urged them to think about how hydrogen-based projects could go forward in the country.
“For example, Temburong. Due to complete next year, the Temburong Bridge project has brought renewed focus to the region. Japanese companies are proposing hydrogen as a new, clean energy source for this nature-rich area.”
He noted that when Japan hosts the Summer Olympic Games in 2020, it will be using hydrogen to power public transport and shuttle buses for athletes and foreign visitors.
“Using that as a model, consider the possibility of hydrogen-powered shuttles connecting The Empire Hotel & Country Club and Temburong District. There are many smart people here today, so I am sure that it is clear that hydrogen could bring some great advantages to the country.”
“I believe that Brunei could enhance its reputation as an eco-friendly country concerned with the protection of the natural environment, perhaps attracting attention from interested parties around the world.
“Please consider how we could work together, using Japanese green technology to improve energy use. Combined with Japanese expertise and technology for advanced waste management, Brunei could become a beacon for issues concerning the responsible use of our natural environment,” he added. “Japan is always available to support Brunei in any of these possible future initiatives.”
At both seminars held at UTB and UBD, Principal Researcher at the Technology Development Department of Chiyoda Corporation Dr Yoshimi Okada and Hiroki Toriyama from the Environment Business Team, Research and Development Department, Mitsubishi Corporation presented on the ever-changing technological and market trends relating to hydrogen.
In addition, both seminars saw Osamu Ikeda, Business Director in Brunei Darussalam of AHEAD and the Hydrogen Supply Chain Development Department of Chiyoda Corporation speak about the hydrogen project and its future perspectives.
UTB’s seminar also featured Principal Lecturer Dr Naseem Uddin from the Mechanical Engineering Department of UTB who provided his insights from an academic standpoint. Meanwhile, the seminar held at UBD featured a presentation by Senior Assistant Professor at UBD Dr Abul Kalam Azad on ‘Hydrogen related research at FIT, UBD’.
AHEAD has been formed to implement the world’s first hydrogen supply chain demonstration project, which is funded by the National Research and Development Agency, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), between Brunei and Japan.
The project is within its construction phase and AHEAD aims to produce hydrogen from the Brunei LNG processed gas and transform it into liquid organic form using their patented technology in 2020. The liquid organic hydrogen will then be transported to Japan to generate electricity.
A ground breaking ceremony was held for the construction on April 21 earlier this year.
Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/hydrogen-based-projects-pack-endless-possibilities-2/