HYDROGEN POTENTIAL. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (seated, center) and Robert Briggs, senior advisor to the executive chairman of Star Scientific Ltd. (seated, rightmost), sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of hydrogen as one of the country’s energy sources. Present during the signing ceremony on Jan. 27, 2021 is Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson (seated, leftmost). (Photo courtesy of DOE)
MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) has partnered with Australian research and development firm Star Scientific Ltd. to study hydrogen as a potential source of energy for the country.
In a statement Friday, the DOE said Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Star Scientific senior advisor to the executive chairman Robert Briggs on Jan. 27 to kick off the scientific research.
“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.
With the MOU, Cusi aims to harness hydrogen resources of the country as fuel for electric vehicles and as part of the country’s energy mix.
This is in line with DOE’s vision to make the Philippines energy independent and significantly cut the country’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emission.
Star Scientific’s breakthrough technology is the Hydrogen Energy Release Optimizer (HERO), which converts hydrogen into heat without combustion.
Under the MOU, the parties will study hydrogen production in the Philippines; explore ways to convert existing power assets using the HERO to unlimited zero-emission hydrogen assets; study the viability of increased distribution of emission-free power by way of a Super Critical CO2 grid network powered by HERO technology; and desalination options for both existing and new systems throughout the Philippines through the use of the HERO technology.
Cusi also thanked the Australian government for facilitating the partnership with Star Scientific. (PNA)
