The challenges of implementing hydrogen economy in Hong Kong

Summary form only given. Worldwide, hydrogen economy is gaining momentum as a key to sustainable future. Hong Kong is now in its early infancy stage of the development of hydrogen economy. While Hong Kong has shared some of the challenges that is commonly experienced in the developed world, it encountered some unique barriers and yet some unique opportunities in this most developed city of the Mainland China. The hydrogen world has two promising applications. It replaces fossil fuels as a clean fuel and integrate with off-grid electricity system for using as renewable energy storage. In Hong Kong, hydrogen market exists in 1) off-grid small electricity system in remote islands and 2) hydrogen transportation. The author, with his experience in the hydrogen industry and from a practical point of view, has identified two categories of barriers that overcomes before hydrogen spur to its full potential in Hong Kong, 1) the social/non-technical barriers and 2) the need for further technical enhancement. The social/ non-technical barriers cover a wide spectrum of issues ranging from social perception, inadequacy in education, insufficient coordination within the government, absence of appropriate hydrogen regulations, no integration of hydrogen and renewable energy policy, lack of development fund to absence of hydrogen infrastructure. On the other hand, despite the hydrogen has achieved significant technological advancement in recent years, there are several technical enhancements needed for hydrogen to have wide-scale application. Those needed advancements rest in the areas of hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, its stationery application and integration, supply of hydrogen vehicles and standards & safety. Lastly, it is recommended that a hydrogen taskforce is set up to facilitate concerted efforts among all stakeholders while the safety standards is developed.