September-October , 2020 | @ green cover story
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research and development on FC and electrolysis development and FC application and integration . This included the establishment of a community of practices and centre of excellence comprising people from various backgrounds such as government agencies , private sectors , academia , and so on .
Establishing a solid framework
Abdul Aziz said these key factors would set up a solid framework to serve as a guide in achieving the State ’ s aspiration towards a green hydrogen economy .
“ From there , we need to establish a roadmap with a specific timeline so that we are appropriately guided on the goals that we want to achieve . These goals , in the end , must be aligned with Sarawak Government ’ s aspiration , which is to be a developed state by 2030 .
“ For instance , now we have taken small steps towards our goals by having the first hydrogen fuel cell buses , vehicles , and integrated hydrogen production , storage , and refuelling station in Southeast Asia . From these pilot projects , we will move further with more hydrogen-related projects in our pipeline ,” he said .
Under the Kuching Urban Transportation System ( KUTS ) project , SEDC adopted the ART system , which will utilise hydrogen fuel cells to power trackless rolling stocks .
He said the ART network targetted to start its revenue service in 2025 will initially cover a total distance of over 50km in its first phase development and will be supported by feeder buses powered by hydrogen fuel cell .
“ If successful , the system will be extended to cover other parts of Kuching , making public transport available to residents in Kuching and its suburbs . Plans are also being made to develop the ART system in other towns in Sarawak ,” said Abdul Aziz , adding that the project is being undertaken by SEDC ’ s wholly-owned subsidiary , Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd .
“ As part of our strategy to create the refuelling infrastructure to promote the usage of more fuel cell vehicles , we will also construct six multifuel refuelling stations in Sarawak .
“ The multifuel refuelling stations will carry our partner ’ s brand name , PETROS ( Petroleum Sarawak Berhad ) and will provide conventional fuels , electric cars charging facilities , and hydrogen refuelling kiosk . The first station is set to be constructed this year in Kuching and the others in the next two years . The facilities for hydrogen supply component will be planned for all the stations and installed when there is
Top : The Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi ( Dr ) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Openg demonstrated hydrogen refuelling of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle , Hyundai Nexo , in May 2019 .
Above : The flag-off for hydrogen fuel cell buses operation by the Chief Minister in January 2020 .
We need to look at government support and policies which will encourage and promote the Green Hydrogen Agenda . We are looking to collaborate and work with SEDA ( Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia ) and other relevant agencies .”
• Abdul Aziz
the demand for the fuel .”
He also said as car manufacturers in Korea , Japan and China started to mass produce EV ( electric vehicles ) and FC vehicles , the price of such vehicles will come down drastically , and may even be more competitive than the traditional internal combustion engine .
“ By the time FC vehicles are available to the public in Sarawak , we would be able to supply them with the required green hydrogen fuel ,” he added .
SEDC has also received a grant from the State to start the study together with their consultants , AVL , an Austrian-based research and development organisation , on the feasibility of setting up facilities for the integration and assembly of fuel cells in various mobile applications such as in vehicles , carts , tractors , boats , ships and other mobile apparatus .
They will be looking at the development of self-contained stationary power generator integrating solar panels , with electrolysers and fuel cells which can be used in areas where electricity from the grid is not available .
This study is expected to be completed next year , and it will help to chart their next steps in expanding the application of hydrogen fuel cell in Sarawak .
Pursuing his sustainable passion
Born and bred in Kuching , Abdul Aziz has always been passionate about green technology and how technology itself can help make lives better .
While he acknowledged that there have been scenarios where the development of technology can also jeopardise the environment , he said it is a different case for hydrogen gas and hydrogen fuel cell technology .
This is because many scientific studies have shown that hydrogen is considered the most viable storage for electric energy and thus , holds the prospect of sustainable energy where the production of power can be done without releasing harmful gases to the atmosphere .
Recalling the first encounter with fuel cell , he said : “ I remember the first time I saw my first fuel cell in Houston , Texas , in 2009 for a 10Kw cell . It was huge compared to the FC used in vehicles today , which has many times more power and produced at a much less cost .
“ Since then , tremendous technological development and improvement had been achieved , making the technology more viable .”
Abdul Aziz emphasised the current reliance on fossil fuel to power industries and vehicles was unsustainable , both environmentally and economically .
“ Not only are the fossil fuels diminishing and irreplaceable , but they are also causing environmental damage and directly contributing to global warming .
“ Several countries have initiated the move to cut down the use of fossil fuels by legislation to restrict carbon dioxide emission and turn to other renewable energy including hydrogen as their alternative ,” he said .
Hence , one possible solution to address environmental effects caused by greenhouse gas emissions , is that hydrogen can be seen as a viable option since carbon emissions can be decoupled from energy use and power generation .
When used in a fuel cell , the only emission is water vapour . To achieve total emission-free hydrogen , the production must be from renewable energy such as water , solar , and wind .
“ In our case , we are blessed with an abundance of renewable energy that can be utilised to achieve this goal ,” he said .
In Sarawak , renewable energy accounted for 78 per cent of the State ’ s energy mix in 2018 . Currently , the total installed capacity of its large hydro plants is 3,452MW . By 2025 , it will have an additional 1,285MW available from Baleh Hydroelectric Project , which is still under construction , bringing its total installed capacity to 4,737MW .
“ With its abundant source of renewable energy , Sarawak can provide low tariffs for electricity . With these in mind ,