Expert: COP29 may become platform for cooperation on hydrogen fuel cells

The transition to hydrogen energy is the greatest gift that can be left to the future generation, and COP29 could become a platform to encourage international cooperation in hydrogen fuel cell research and development, Muhammad Abulaban, Team Leader of the Green Hydrogen Division at International Association of Hydrogen Energy, told Report.

In his opinion, the strategy of transition from fossil to hydrogen energy should be fundamental, since this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of climate change.

“This way, we can leverage existing renewable energy infrastructure and create more resilient energy systems by decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors,” he said.

According to Abu Laban, COP29, which will be held this year in Azerbaijan, could become a platform for encouraging international cooperation in the research and development of hydrogen fuel cells.

“While concrete action may be limited in the short term, a long-term roadmap for hydrogen technology development is important,” he said.

He explained that hydrogen fuel cells could provide a clean alternative for heavy transport such as ships, trucks, long-range aviation, and some industrial processes where using electricity is either difficult or impossible.

“Hydrogen molecules, as a way to store energy, have many advantages compared to the unrealistic desire for the whole world to store energy in electrons using lithium batteries, since hydrogen is less dependent on components such as lithium and cobalt,” he emphasized.

Abu Laban concluded that, unlike engines and batteries, using hydrogen fuel cells requires less maintenance due to their simple design, do not pose a risk to the environment, operate silently, and also have lower operating costs.