The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with an Australian firm to explore the potential of hydrogen as one of the country’s energy sources in a bid to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi signed the MOU last Wednesday (January 27) with Star Scientific Ltd., a company that is into the research and development of safe and affordable energy options.

“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,” Cusi said.

“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,” he 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, the Hydrogen Energy Release Optimiser (HERO), which converts hydrogen into heat without combustion.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson, as well as other Australian Embassy and DOE officials were also present at the signing.

Under the MOU, both sides will work together to look into how Star Scientific’s HERO technology can be used to convert existing power assets within the Philippines to unlimited zero-emissions hydrogen assets.

They are also set to explore the viability of increased distribution of emission-free power by way of a Super Critical CO2 grid network powered by HERO technology, as well as desalination options for both existing and new systems throughout the country through the use of the said technology.

Cusi said back in December 2020 that the DOE tapped a Japanese firm to study if hydrogen can be used as an alternative transport fuel, for battery storage, or for power generation.