DOE taps Japan firm for hydrogen use in power

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has strengthened its bid to explore the use of hydrogen as a fuel for power generation with the signing of a collaboration agreement with a Japanese engineering firm.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tokyo-based Hydrogen Technology Inc. (HTI) to look into the methods on how to employ hydrogen for power supply.

The MOU binds the DOE and HTI in an agreement to explore hydrogen production as a way to make the Philippines energy independent, as well as reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

At the signing on Wednesday, Cusi said his agency is devoted to finding alternative sources of energy for the Philippines. The HTI will play a role in the DOE’s bid to look into the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for power generation, he said.

“With the assistance of HTI and through the signing of the MOU, we are hopeful that the development of hydrogen energy will eventually be realized,” Cusi said.

This is the second MOU the DOE has entered with a private firm to study the prospects of developing hydrogen as part of the country’s power mix.

In January the DOE signed a similar undertaking with Australian research and development firm Star Scientific Ltd.

“I had been wanting to bring the model here in the Philippines so that we can do the trial usage of the technology in one of the islands. I hope that with the signing of this MOU, the model can be immediately shipped,” the energy chief said.

Cusi said the DOE would facilitate the entry of HTI engineers and technicians into the country by exempting them from the travel restrictions imposed by the government.

The DOE under Cusi is moving to diversify the country’s sources for fuel for vehicles and power to reduce its reliance on imported coal and fuel oil.