Call to boost Bahrain's green hydrogen economy

Staff Reporter

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Countries including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia must focus on switching over to hydrogen as the major energy source since it is highly essential for sustainable development, according to Eiji Ohira, Director General of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Office within the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation.

This came as Eiji spoke to journalists from across the world during an online briefing on research, development and production methods of hydrogen at Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field. The electrolysis method is used to produce hydrogen at Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field.

“Japan has been cooperating with many countries to boost renewable sources of energy under the international framework. Increasing renewables is the most important way to address energy security and climate change.” Eiji said the benefits of hydrogen as a source of energy are many.

“If we use hydrogen as a fuel there is absolutely no greenhouse gas emission, hydrogen can be stored, transported as well as exported. It can be utilized in various sectors and also can be integrated into various resources and sectors.” He said Japan has been in the forefront of the Green Growth Strategy.

“The main objective is to make hydrogen affordable as a fuel amid Japan aiming to bring gas emission to net-zero by 2050. The strategy focuses on achieving carbon neutrality. As of now, one kilogram of hydrogen fuel costs $3, which with the help of advanced technologies, can be brought down to $2 per kilogram by 2050.” Eiji said that the transportation and automobile sectors are the primary segments, where hydrogen is being explored as a fuel currently.

“In Japan, there are 160 refuelling stations for automobiles now and the number is expected to rise to 900 by 2030. There are 470 hydrogen refuelling stations across the world along with two hydrogen trains.” Mr Eiji said all major countries except China have put a strong hydrogen strategy in place.

He pointed out that there are three major steps in the implementation of the hydrogen strategy for any country. “First step is to bring residential fuel cell application into the local markets, second is the direct use of hydrogen as an energy source and third is wide use of hydrogen across all sectors.” Concerning safety standards, Eiji said that safety must be the top priority while constructing a hydrogen plant.

“No leakages should happen and the plant should be constructed adhering to the highest seismic standards. For instance, the structure should be at least 1.5 times stronger than a general building.” The Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) has already unveiled a plan to establish a green hydrogen plant.

Last month, Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) President Dr Abdulhussein Mirza discussed the project with a high-level delegation from Al Judy Company, led by Chairman Ibrahim Ali. Dr Mirza outlined the SEA initiatives and projects for 2022, including a plan to benefit from the green hydrogen.

The delegation gave an overview of its plan to establish a 4 Megawatt plant for the production of green hydrogen – a first in the Arabian Gulf region. The company which holds a patent registered in Germany has also been conferred the gold medal for best invention, according to SEA.

The factory will be established according to the highest level of international standards in the construction and operational stage. The project will be built in its first phase on land with a total area of 20,000 square metres and an estimated cost of $150 million.