Government and energy leaders explore the current developments in hydrogen technologies, along with their associated opportunities and challenges.
Global investments in hydrogen are on the rise, spurred by the need to jumpstart the hydrogen industry. Within this framework, government representatives and global industry leaders converged at the Special Session of the Singapore Energy Summit. Their purpose? To explore the latest advancements in hydrogen technology and to discuss the opportunities and challenges it presents.
Paula Conboy, Board Member of PJM Interconnection and Senior Counsel, Sussex Strategy Group, welcomed the panel of energy visionaries, inviting them to share their insights into the ever-evolving landscape of hydrogen technology.
Vipul Tuli, Chairman South Asia and CEO of the Hydrogen Business at Sembcorp Industries, initiated discussions by remarking that "in my 30 years in the industry, I’ve never seen such a breadth, depth, and intensity of technological innovation underway". Mr Tuli elaborated further, revealing that from the demand side of the industry, Sembcorp had recently procured its first hydrogen-ready 600-megawatt turbine, scheduled for completion by 2026. On the supply side, Sembcorp is committed to emerging as a leading producer of green hydrogen, leveraging their renewables capabilities.
Offering his insights, Takao Tsukui, Executive Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, Mitsubishi Power, pointed out that "while there are both technology and commercial challenges in the hydrogen society, we’re heavily investing in technology". He shared that Mitsubishi Power, in partnership with Keppel, will be installing a 2-gigawatt hydrogen-ready power plant in Singapore. This venture underscores their commitment to preparing gas turbines for eventual adoption of hydrogen once the supply chain becomes affordable and reliable.
From a regulatory perspective, Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, Minister for Environment; Climate Action; Racing and Gaming, Western Australia, expressed optimism that "with the world turning its attention to hydrogen production, there is a great deal of hope for the future". He acknowledged hydrogen as the next chapter post-fossil fuels while recognising the evolving nature of the technology and the numerous details that still require resolution.
Key challenges in scaling up hydrogen adoption
When discussing the obstacles to hydrogen's swift adoption, Ronnie Chalmers, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Pacific Hub, Air Liquide, shared a compelling insight. He said: "While the opportunities are obvious, the key lies in collaboration and companies’ willingness to invest in infrastructure when regulatory and policy frameworks are still unclear."
Agreeing, Mr Tuli reiterated that policymakers have a pivotal role to play. He also highlighted the necessity to address various other facets as well, such as cross-border collaboration for carbon credits, establishing standards, and promoting infrastructure development.
On the technological front, Mr Takao emphasised the importance of 2023 in overcoming technology barriers. This significance arises from the fact that in November this year, Mitsubishi Power will operate a hydrogen power plant, co-firing it within the same gas turbine facility. This endeavour aims to validate the technology and the seamless integration of hydrogen co-firing, ensuring its safe, stable, and reliable operation.
A unified call to action for industry players
Ms Conboy closed the session by rallying the panellists to issue a collective call to action. Mr Tuli stressed the urgent need for collaboration at a scale never seen before. Minister Whitby underlined the importance of governments in providing clear regulations and instilling investor confidence. Mr Takao and Mr Chalmers concurred, emphasising that with effective government support, engaged customers, and committed solution providers, the hydrogen revolution can become a reality.
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