Bangladesh has announced that it has set up its first research centre and a pilot processing plant for hydrogen-based technologies. In addition to producing hydrogen, the plant will also produce waste and biomass which will be used as feedstock. For this, the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSCIR) has kickstarted the training of scientists to work towards setting up a full-fledged Hydrogen Energy Laboratory as part of the project. The project will also involve the development of a hydrogen fuelling station that will be set up alongside a fuel cell-powered electric vehicle.
The BCSIR reported it was working to start the production of hydrogen as an alternative energy source in Bangladesh given the abundant water resources in the country. The project represents the government’s intent to diversify the country’s energy mix, which is largely dominated by gas and coal. It must also be noted that the fuel value of hydrogen at 142 kJ per gram is three times greater than traditional fuel and at the same time, it does not have negative impacts on the environment.
Hydrogen can potentially help Bangladesh transition from these non-renewable technologies to clean energy alongside renewables power. The expansion of the technology will accelerate energy efficiency and help meet the government’s target to generate 10 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewables. The government is optimistic that Bangladesh has access to hydrogen fuel for industrial and vehicular use by 2030.