DOE, Aboitiz eye ammonia, ‘green’ hydrogen as fuel

MANILA  -Growing private sector interest in studying the viability of ammonia cofiring in coal plants, as well as “green” hydrogen, could complement the diversification of the country’s energy sources, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Friday.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the use of these emerging technologies and added that the DOE was “actively considering” this as a cleaner alternative energy carrier in line with the Philippine Energy Plan.

Ammonia cofiring involves replacing some of the coal used for combustion in coal-fired plants with ammonia. This type of fuel is produced through coal gasification.

Green hydrogen, meanwhile, is produced through the use of renewably generated electricity.

Hydrogen tech eyed for small power utilities

The DOE is currently pushing for the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix to accelerate its goal of increasing the share of renewables to 50 percent by 2040.

Lotilla said this could be sustained by adding “complementarities” with nuclear power, such as ammonia co-firing and green hydrogen.

DOE weighs nuclear technology as current energy mix under review  

At the same time, Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz pointed out that the production of green hydrogen and ammonia “needs to become more cost-effective and scalable,” and that power plants must first be retrofitted to ensure the safe use of these fuels.

“As we explore new possibilities, it’s also vital that we address potential challenges head-on,” he said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council’s energy forum on Friday.

Earlier this week, Aboitiz Power Corp. announced that it eyed to start studying the economic viability of co-firing ammonia with coal-fed power plants next year to lessen the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.

The study will be conducted with Japanese partner firm Jera Co. Inc. and is expected to be finished “within the decade.”

Japan has been aggressively promoting ammonia co-firing and plans to export needed technology to developing Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.