DOST pushes for hydrogen as high-potential alternative energy source

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing for hydrogen as a high-potential alternative energy source.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Thursday, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that the Philippines is one of the largest producers of geothermal energy.

Among recent efforts by the DOST in relation to energy is studies into hydrogen fuel.

“Pagdating sa hydrogen fuel, tumutulong tayo sa pag-aaral ng mga lugar kung saan nakakakita tayo ng natural hydrogen,” he shared.

(When it comes to hydrogen fuel, we are helping with the study of areas where we can find natural hydrogen.)

“May mga bato po kung dumaan ang tubig doon ay nagkakaroon ng reaksyon, nagkakaroon ng oxidation ang mga minerals at kumakapit ang oxygen doon sa mga minerals at naiiwan ang hydrogen kaya lumalabas ang hydrogen sa lupa. Ito ang natural hydrogen,” he added.

(There are rocks where water passes by and the reaction starts there, oxidation happens to the minerals and oxygen attaches to the minerals, then hydrogen is left behind, which is why it comes out of the ground. This is natural hydrogen.)

DOST has partnered up with the Department of Energy (DOE) in establishing a laboratory to develop hydrogen batteries that can effectively supply electricity for vehicles and other items.

The DOST secretary shared that a key challenge is looking into the efficient storage of hydrogen in batteries.

“‘Yung hydrogen fuel po talaga malaki ang potential kasi natural or pwedeng gumawa ng hydrogen gas na pwede nating store sa battery... And syempre, ang karamihan na malaking problema sa transport sector,” he said.

(Hydrogen fuel really has a big potential because it is natural and we can produce hydrogen gas that can be stored in batteries… and of course, most of our problems are in the transport sector.)

DOST is also in development for several different types of e-vehicles, including e-trams and e-trikes.

Meanwhile, Solidum also pointed out the existence of other fuel sources such as biogas as alternative energy sources.

However, he noted that this is not as sustainable.

“Kasi hindi ganoon karaming dumi ang napo-produce at usually pangluto lang 'yan doon sa mga kabahayan sa malapit sa mga ball pit figurines,” he said.

(The waste produced isn’t that much and usually, it is used for cooking in homes near the ball pit figurines.)

Earlier, DOST also launched a petroleum R&D lab in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to help boost the country’s capacity for oil and gas exploration.

This effort will help the Philippines maintain sustainable energy sources, on top of producing alternatives. —AOL, GMA News