The first material delivered in this event was from Prof. Robert Manurung, titled “Solar Energy Harvesting as Sustainable Energy Source for Living”. Quoting the US Department of Energy, Robert Manurung explained that hydrogen fuel is one of the many promising alternative energy sources for the future. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel can also become a pollution-less energy source.

“However, there are many reasons why water cannot be utilized as a domestic fuel source. Firstly, hydrogen is a difficult material to obtain and it has a high production cost. Moreover, hydrogen is highly explosive, as well as non-flammable at a slow rate,” expressed Prof. Robert Manurung.

In addition, water cannot be used as a fuel without a supply of external energy mixture. Around 48% of H2 is produced through steam methane reforming, 18% from coal gasification, and 30% from hydrocarbon cracking.

Moving on, the second material of this event was delivered by FTI ITB’s professor, Prof. Yogi Wibisono Budhi titled “H2 Production Process Intensification as Future Clean Energy”. Implementation of the intensification process in hydrogen production was carried out through the development of innovative and creative tools, methods, and materials. “Hydrogen, as an up-and-coming future energy source can be applied expansively. Hydrogen can be used as synthetic fuel, biomass, fertilizer, nuclear power generator, battery, even metal refining,” elaborated Prof. Yogi.

However, during the production process of hydrogen, specifically the molecular splitting, a considerable amount of 5.7 megawatt per hour of thermal energy and 39 megawatt per hour of electrical energy are required. Therefore, hydrogen utilization is economically unfeasible. Fortunately, a closer alternative, hydropower electricity, is achievable.

Finally, the last topic of “Hydrogen Utilization as Motorized Vehicle Fuel” was conveyed by Dr. Tri Yuswidjajanto from FMAE ITB. Dr. Tri explained that the most effective hydrogen production is through steam reformation of natural gasses, after undergoing the process of carbon capture mechanism.

“Hydrogen can be used for motor vehicles. Firstly, in Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV) will still produce NO emission, which leads to nervous system damage and respiratory issues. To control the NO emission, there needs to be a combustion control system. Meanwhile, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCeV) only produces H2O, thus being environmentally friendly,” clarified Dr. Tri.

Reporter: Yoel Enrico Meiliano (Food Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Firzana Aisya (School of Life Sciences and Engineering, 2021)