Sarawak CM orders own hydrogen car
Published on: Monday, December 16, 2019
By: David Thien
KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (pic) has ordered his own hydrogen car, to lead by serious example, leadership in action in fulfilling the state’s green agenda.
It will be similar to the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell car that costs before taxation US$60,000 or some RM300,000.
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“Sarawak is still developing with an ambition to achieve high income status by 2030,” Abang Johari said.
“Hydrogen is a more economical fuel as at ideal conditions, a hydrogen-powered vehicle has better mileage and lower cost per kilometre, compared to cars with internal combustion.”
He said at the inaugural Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum or SAREF on Dec 10 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK): “While calls are getting louder for the world to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources, Sarawak is pursuing a balanced and holistic energy development strategy to ensure energy security, sustainability and affordability.”
It is known that the burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases, which contributes significantly to global warming and climate change. Hence, efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius must include diversifying fuel resources to include alternative and renewable energy sources.
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Malaysia’s energy policies, from the Petroleum Development Act of 1974 to the most current Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Blueprint 2017 shows that Malaysia is ready to embrace renewable resources as an energy source as a way forward.
“Sarawak views hydrogen as a decarbonisation solution, by managing carbon dioxide emission across its value chain, and view hydrogen as an enabler for potential business growth.
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“There are three steps on the hydrogen economy value chain: hydrogen generation, hydrogen distribution and storage and hydrogen applications.
“The role of hydrogen in the electricity supply industry (ESI) is an excellent energy carrier given its inherent potential to act as a buffer to increase system resilience.
“This is due to hydrogen having a longer discharge duration and larger capacity compared to other energy storage and energy carrier technologies.
“This comes in handy, especially when it comes to applications in the heavy transportation and industrial sector.”
Hydrogen also excels in power generation, both as a stationary and portable power source.
Portable hydrogen power sources are utilised in consumer electronics, business machinery and recreational devices, which use methanol or hydrogen as the fuel.
Hydrogen also plays a role in the decarbonisation pathway, where it is used to hydrogenate carbon dioxide into valuable products.
Sarawak’s plans to harness hydrogen as a source of energy involved working with companies such as Linde, Shell Energy and Samsung Engineering.
The status of Sarawak’s Hydrogen Pilot Project involved hydrogen vehicles of two Hyundai NEXO hydrogen vehicles and three hydrogen buses.
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