Demand and Supply Potential of Hydrogen Energy in East Asia

Abstract

According to the East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Outlook produced by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), which covers ASEAN 10 countries plus Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and United States, the total primary energy supply (TPES) will increase from 7,487 Mtoe in 2015 to 10,931 Mtoe in 2040. The annual growth rate will be 1.5% (1.46 times), two percentage points lower than the 3.5% per annum GDP growth rate in the same period. The share of fossil fuels will remain at more than 80% from 2015 to 2040, as shown in Figure 1.1. In this regard, CO2 emissions will also increase 1.5% per annum, following the TPES. Consequently, most energy policies in the EAS region promote efficiency and conservation (reduce fossil fuel consumption) and shifting to such low-carbon energies as nuclear and renewables (reduce CO2 emissions). As a renewable energy source, hydrogen is highlighted to reduce CO2 emissions for the following reasons: a. Zero CO2 emissions. Hydrogen bonds with oxygen to generate electricity/heat, with water as the only by-product; b. Unlimited Supply. Hydrogen can be extracted from a wide range of substances, including oil, natural gas, biofuels, and sewage sludge, and can produce unlimited natural energy by water electrolysis; c. Storage and transportation. Hydrogen is able to store energy beyond the seasons and be shipped over long distances.