(Energy Analytics Institute, 25.Jan.2022) — Selected highlights from the virtual Caribbean Sustainable Energy Conference hosted by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago from 24-26 January 2022 including presentations from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis, KBR Energy Global Energy Transition Advisor Kareemah Mohammed, and Kenesjay Green Limited Chairman Philip Julien, among others.
Select highlights follow:
Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis
— “The question of whether achieving net zero by 2050 is a realistic option and realizable goal for small island developing states like Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the region, must also occupy our mind space.”
RELATED STORY: Trinidad Reveals Emissions Reduction Plans by 2030
KBR Energy Global Energy Transition Advisor Kareemah Mohammed,
— “Hydrogen is the “Swiss Army knife” of decarbonization.”
— The electrons for green hydrogen production come from non-carbonaceous sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.)
— “The challenge we face is scaling up green hydrogen.”
— To scale-up green hydrogen production, significant investment in key aspects of the value chain will have to be made.
— “In terms of power in developing LatAm countries, there is “advantageous wind and solar generation intensity and price competitiveness (Chile and Trinidad & Tobago).”
— Chile aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.
— “Low carbon strategies in Chile offer opportunities for green hydrogen and in Trinidad & Tobago offer opportunities in blue and green hydrogen.”
— The key components that govern the economics of green hydrogen projects include: 1) green H2 production and processing, 2) storage, 3) transportation, and 4) reconversion of H2 to end-use specs.
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lead Energy Specialist Christiaan Gischler
— Latin America and the Caribbean could produce highly price-competitive green hydrogen.
— “In Latin America and the Caribbean, 56% of the power generation already comes from renewable sources… and is just expected to grow in the next decades.”
— “Many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean are short of fresh water for hydrogen production… “Trinidad’s LNG knowledge will be valuable when dealing with hydrogen.”
— “The Latin American region is rich in renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind and geothermal) to produce and export hydrogen.”
— “Hydrogen is a produce widely used today. 94% of it used in the petrochemical refining processes and for the production of ammonia and methanol. Nevertheless, 98% is grey.”
— “The global demand for hydrogen is expected to multiply between 3-7 times from current values by 2050, out of which 60% is expected to be green hydrogen.”
— “Ammonia or synthetic fuels produced from green hydrogen can be a clearer substitute of fossil fuel in large ships.”
Kenesjay Green Limited Chairman Philip Julien
— Approximately 40 countries have released/are developing hydrogen strategies. Global electrolyser capacity will increase 180x to 54GW by 2030 with 350 projects under development.
— “The NewGen hydrogen project will provide 27,200 t/yr of low carbon hydrogen for the TrinGen Ammonia facility through the electrolysis of water… globally competitive through usage of waste heat and existing infrastructure.”
— “There is an industrial scale new hydrogen market demand in CARICOM that many/will unlock the industrial scale supply of renewable energy from CARICOM which may/will enable domestic new hydrogen economies for CARICOM.”
RELATED STORY: Caribbean Sustainable Energy Conference: Day 1 Highlights
National Energy President Dr. Vernon Paltoo
— “Widespread and effective development of green hydrogen requires a notable amount of renewable electricity, which may be a challenge in the short term; blue hydrogen can represent a useful option in the short and medium term.”
— “On a cost basis, blue hydrogen is estimated to be cheaper than green hydrogen up to 2030.”
“A net-zero and carbon neutrality state that covers 70%-80% of global emissions must be translated into actionable strategies and policies.”
— Blue hydrogen deployment scenarios for Trinidad and Tobago. Do nothing scenario translates into business-as-usual and an increase in GHG emissions and climate change impacts.
— “Carbon pricing is one of the instruments of the climate policy package needed to reduce emissions. In most cases, it is also to be a source of revenue, which is particularly import in an economic environment of budgetary constraints.”
HDF Energy VP Caribbean Thibault Menage
— “CEOG Renewstable will allow to produce non-intermittent renewable electricity in the north-west region of French Guiana, which is facing an important increase of electricity demand and grid balance challenges.”
Stork Global Director of Innovation Martijn Glass
— “Trinidad’s landfills receive approximately 700,000 tons of waste per year (1,500-2,000 tons per day)… costing the government $321mn per year to manage waste collection and disposal.”
— “Vast amounts of hydrogen needed in the future energy mix; electrolysis can’t do it alone.”
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lead Energy Specialist Christiaan Gischler,
— “Geothermal energy can help Latin America and Caribbean countries to achieve their goal for 70% energy consumption form renewable energy by 2030.”
GeoFrame Energy CEO Bruce Cutright
— “Carbon emission reductions can be achieved in two ways; reduce carbon emissions from the generation source or use generation to remove carbon from the environment.”
— “Geothermal energy is the preferred – only – baseload renewable energy source.”
Trinidad Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries’ Penelope Bradshaw-Niles
— “Industry is keen to get into action on reducing CO2 emissions and footprints. Storage and EOR should equally be evaluated and value defined.”
— “There is an expectation for more clarity on carbon tax/pricing, CO2 pricing, legislative/regulatory framework.”
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By Ian Silverman, Aaron Simonsky and Piero Stewart. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
