Renewables aside, nuclear energy, hydrogen technology and energy efficiency are steadily becoming key factors in the global electrification transition. SIEW correspondent Derek Wu finds out more.
Electrification of our energy, transport, heating and industry sectors has become increasingly vital as the global call to action to address climate change continues to gain momentum. Electrification is particularly important for the energy sector, which contributes to around 70 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the IEA, in 2018, global energy demand rose by four per cent, the fastest pace since 2010. The growing appetite for energy demand is especially relevant in the Southeast Asia region, stemming from rapid economic growth as well as the need to address electricity poverty in previously underserved areas. Against this backdrop, the use of renewables in the power sector was a consistent theme echoed by panellists at the Singapore Energy Summit. Even with this emphasis, however, fossil fuel generation sources still continue to play an important role.
This was highlighted by H.E. Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny Bin Haji Mohd Hussein, Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry, Brunei Darussalam, who shared his country’s strategy to develop a clean and modern power grid through decentralisation of supply sources and electrification of mobility, all the while being supported by natural gas to balance the equation of energy affordability, sustainability and reliability. Echoing this, H.E. U Win Khaing, Union Minster for Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Myanmar, also revealed his government’s approach to electrification through leveraging LNG and the regional power infrastructure. Growing the renewable sector was also integral in Lao PDR’s 5A electrification strategy for affordable, accessible, adequate, advanced and alternative power as shared by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, H.E. Sinava Souphanouvong.
Despite its well-documented benefits, renewables have yet to become a complete solution for any country’s total energy needs. As professor Masakazu Toyoda, Chairman & CEO, The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) put it, “The most important [thing] is balance because no one source is perfect.” Toshiro Kudama, CEO, JERA Asia Private Limited, also recognised the pros and cons of renewables, and said a combination of renewables and greener fossil fuels would be needed over the mid-term. Similarly, Kurt Donnelly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State, reiterated the role of fossil fuels and its place in the US’s energy portfolio.
Beyond renewables, nuclear energy, hydrogen technology and energy efficiency are key aspects of the global electrification transition. Marianne Laigneau, Group Senior Executive Vice President in charge of the International Division, EDF, shared the complementary role nuclear energy is playing to mitigate the intermittency of variable generation and their active research efforts to expand and improve the lifespan of nuclear plants. However, more can be done to improve the public perception of nuclear technology, such as inter-government cooperation to bolster its safety.
Regarding hydrogen, Keisuke Sadamori, Director, Energy Markets and Security, International Energy Agency (IEA), shared that industry momentum on this front is growing given its capabilities as a storage medium, in particular for renewable energy. However, recognising current limitations, he added, “Hydrogen has potential, but to make green hydrogen viable we need to scale up significantly,” noting the heavy reliance on fossil fuels for its production today.