German chamber, Napocor team up to study use of green hydrogen, fuel cell
By Othel V. Campos and Alena Mae S. Flores – June 5, 2023, 7:25 pm
from manilastandard.net
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and state-run National Power Corp. teamed up to conduct a feasibility study on the use of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in off-grid areas.
The collaboration aims to promote knowledge transfer, modernization opportunities and the economic achievement of clean and affordable energy.
“Napocor is excited to partner with GPCCI in exploring the potential of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in off-grid areas,” said Napocor president Fernando Martin Roxas.
“With our mandate to provide electricity to rural areas and our commitment to optimizing power generation assets, this collaboration presents an opportunity to modernize power systems and reduce emissions. We believe this feasibility study will pave the way for a sustainable and climate-friendly energy transition in the Philippines,” Roxas said.
The purpose of the joint project is to produce a comprehensive feasibility study titled “Feasibility Study for Green Hydrogen Technology in Off-Grid Areas in the Philippines.”
The study aims to support the modernization of power-generating assets in off-grid areas by exploring the potential replacement of diesel-powered systems with green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
The project, which will be implemented in three phases, aims to make a positive contribution to climate change by reducing emissions in an economically viable manner.
It is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, with the goal to promote technologies to protect the environment.
Two suitable sites will be selected based on criteria such as renewable resource availability, economic factors, accessibility and community support under phase 1 (set-up and coordination).
Napocor will provide technical and economic data, while GPCCI will assist in data gathering.
Phase 2 (execution of modeling and presentation of results) will involve the modeling of the selected sites by the Reiner Lemoine Institut in collaboration with stakeholders.
The results will be presented internally to the NPC and externally to interested parties through a technical event organized by GPCCI.
Phase 3 (evaluation of project results and public relations work) will see GPCCI launch an information campaign to disseminate the project’s results through various channels, including interviews, podcasts, press releases and social media.
“The Philippines is experiencing rapid growth in energy demand, and the existing fossil fuel power generation capacity is unable to keep up with this growth in an environmentally friendly manner,” said GPCCI president Stefan Schmitz.
“In light of the challenges related to energy supply and rising fuel and transportation costs that contribute to high electricity prices, the GPCCI and Napocor recognize the potential of hydrogen technology and fuel cells as an alternative energy solution for off-grid areas,” he said.
The project aims to showcase the economic and environmental benefits of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies while promoting sustainable development and supporting the country’s development goals.
This collaboration also underscores the commitment of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety to knowledge and technology transfer in the field of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
