Australia and Japan are revolutionising the hydrogen economy

Melbourne, AUS, 16 March 2022:  In a thriving global market, hydrogen has the potential to fulfill up to 20% of global energy needs, generating a market size of US$2.5 trillion by 2050. As the world looks to renewable energy to lower carbon emissions and meet net-zero carbon targets, it presents as an irresistible long-term solution to mitigate climate change threats.

Australia and Japan are natural energy partners with co-operation in hydrogen energy growing rapidly. Japan’s hydrogen society roadmap creates the foundations for a new industry for Australia, built on hydrogen exports. Success though will be reliant on building demand and securing agreements in Australia with other countries across Southeast Asia.

Existing projects such as the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project, showcase first-hand how Australia and Japan can partner to revolutionise the energy sector and decarbonisation, by providing a safe, environmentally conscious and economically viable solution to hydrogen production through gas production and carbon capture and storage.

In a first of its kind forum to be hosted in Australia, Asialink Business and the Melbourne Energy Institute at the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne will convene world-renowned experts across business, academia and government to advance the discussion on the future of hydrogen, technology developments and strengthening international supply chains. 

‘Suiso Economy: Hydrogen Supply Chains Between Japan and Australia' features esteemed keynote speakers Dr Akira Yoshino, Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry; Director, Global Zero Emission Research Center (GZR), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); and Dr Alan Finkel AC, Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technology, together with an incredible panel of expert voices from Japan and Australia. 

Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink Business, said “Australia and Japan are now the first partners in the world to have activated large-scale liquified hydrogen transportation. This partnership will have significant impacts in drastically reducing supply chain costs as both manufacturing capability and consumption are boosted. In a coup for Australia, we are honoured to host our internationally respected guest speakers, who will explore the status of hydrogen technology development and its potential as a zero-emissions fuel for the future.” 

Junji Shimada, Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, said “We are honored to be working with Asialink Business and the Melbourne Energy Institute at the University of Melbourne to present this forum. In developing a hydrogen (Suiso)-powered future, a two-pronged approach using blue and green hydrogen is vital. We look forward to a lively discussion with Dr Akira Yoshino, Dr Alan Finkel and other distinguished guest speakers. In this forum, Mr Kiyoshi Odawara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs will deliver closing remarks on behalf of the Government of Japan.”

'Suiso Economy: Hydrogen Supply Chains Between Japan and Australia' event details:

Date: Friday 18 March 2022
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm AEDT / 12:00pm - 3:00pm JST
Location: In-person Melbourne and online https://www.asialinkbusinessevents.com/

Additional guest speakers:

• Ms. Sumiko Takeuchi, Senior Fellow, International Environment and Economy Institute
• Mr. Tadashi Mogi, Director-General, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department
• Dr. Motohiko Nishimura, Executive Officer, Deputy General Manager, Hydrogen Strategy Division, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Japan
• Mr. Kiyoshi Odawara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan
• Mr. James Hetherington, Director, Hydrogen Strategy Team, International Climate Change and Energy Innovation Division, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
• Mr. Malcolm Rushin, Future Energy – Hydrogen Lead – Australia, GHD
• Mr. Matt Macleod, Manager Energy Solutions, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
• Ms. Danni Jarrett, CEO, Invest Victoria

The event will be Moderated by Ali Moore, Journalist and Broadcaster, ABC, Australia; Nine Network; BBC’s Global News network and Richard Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) who will also MC the event.

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Media welcome to attend the event either in-person in Melbourne – register here or online – register here. 

Media Contact:

For all media enquiries and interviews, please contact:

Maree Schneiders
maree.schneiders@asialinkbusiness.com.au
M: 0411 446 484

About Asialink Business:

Asialink Business is the National Centre for Asia Capability, supporting businesses and organisations in all sectors to develop the critical insights, capabilities and connections needed to better understand and do business with diverse Asian markets.

Asialink Business offers market-leading expertise in building these capabilities with solutions tailored to our client's niche Asian growth requirements, across capability development, advisory and insights, and advocacy and events.

To find out more visit www.asialinkbusiness.com.au or follow us on Twitter @asiacapable and LinkedIn 

About the Melbourne Energy Institute at The University of Melbourne: 

The Melbourne Energy Institute (MEI) delivers influential, interdisciplinary research on the transition to a clean energy system. We work with the community, industry and government on some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges. 

MEI has over three hundred specialists across Architecture, Economics, Engineering, Health, Law, Planning, Science and Social Science. They include a former Chief Scientist of Australia, several recipients of Australia Day Honours, several Fellows of Learned Academies, and numerous Fellows of Professional Societies.