FUEL OF THE FUTURE: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (seated, center) and Robert Briggs, Senior Advisor to the Executive Chairman of Star Scientific Ltd (seated, rightmost) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of hydrogen as one of the country’s energy sources. 

Also present during the ceremonial signing were Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO (seated, leftmost). Behind them (from left to right): Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, Representatives from Star Scientific Ltd. Gilbert Gacrama, Alan Dino, DOE Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza, Jr., and DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino.

 TAGUIG  CITY- The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday (27 January) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia-based research and development company Star Scientific Ltd. to explore the potential of hydrogen as one of the country’s energy sources.
 
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, who signed the MOU on behalf of the DOE of the Republic of the Philippines, hailed the new undertaking as he thanked the Australian government for facilitating the project with Star Scientific.
 
“I have often said that there could be a lot of potential for hydrogen for the local industry given that it is seen as the fuel of the future,” Secretary Cusi said.
 
“I thank the Australian government and Star Scientific for assisting us explore the potential of producing hydrogen via renewable sources and other energy assets. We are hoping to be able to utilize hydrogen as fuel for electric vehicles and as part of the country’s future energy mix,” Secretary Cusi added.
 
Signing for Star Scientific was Robert Briggs, Senior Advisor to the Executive Chairman of the research company that prides itself for its breakthrough technology, Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser (HERO), which converts hydrogen into heat without combustion.
 
Aside from Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO, also present to witness the signing were Australian Embassy and Star Scientific executives. For the DOE, the officials present  included Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza, Jr., and DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino.
 
Through the MOU, the Philippine government and Star expressed their intention to work together in order explore the use of hydrogen as a fuel for power generation, as well as the role that it can play in the economy of the Philippines as a whole.
 
“The Parties will investigate hydrogen production in the Philippines in an effort to make the country energy independent so as to significantly reduce the country's CO2 emissions,” the MOU stated.
 
ln particular, the Parties will work together to investigate:

(1) ways in which Star's HERO technology can be used to convert existing power assets within the Philippines to unlimited zero-emissions hydrogen assets;
(2) the viability of increased distribution of emission-free power by way of a Super Critical CO2 grid network powered by HERO technology; and
(3) desalination options for both existing and new systems throughout the Philippines through the use of the HERO technology.

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