State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is studying the development of "new-generation energy", including hydrogen fuel, under its latest cooperation with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian state agency responsible for scientific research.
The collaboration is aimed at supporting Thailand's transition towards clean energy in order to achieve a carbon neutrality goal, said Egat governor Boonyanit Wongrukmit.
"The transition represents both opportunities and challenges for every country as they need to increase the share of electricity produced by renewable energy while maintaining the stability, flexibility and quality of national power systems," he said.
Mr Boonyanit was speaking as he presided over a ceremony held yesterday in Australia to mark the joint study on new energy technologies.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed by Egat and CSIRO in June, the agencies agreed to work together for a year to study and exchange information on the development of hydrogen fuel, energy storage and battery recycling.
One type of hydrogen fuel, known as green hydrogen, is produced by using electricity made from renewable energy to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen.
Green hydrogen can be used to fuel power generation and manufacturing processes.
Egat is particularly interested in the push for a battery recycling project in Thailand.
Dietmar Tourbier, director of CSIRO's Business Unit, said the cooperation will play a key role in building a better environment for the world.
"We teamed up with Egat because we both have the same direction to develop new technologies that go in line with the trend in hydrogen fuel technology, batteries and the energy storage system," he said.
CSIRO specialises in tech that helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions and conducts research to support both the government and private sectors in efficiently reducing carbon dioxide emissions from energy production.
The agency also promotes the transformation of energy systems.
Thailand aims to depend less on fossil fuels, following its announcement at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in 2021 that the country would be more aggressive in addressing climate change.