Kazakhstan can become a green energy exporter
The L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, with the assistance of the Ministry of Energy and the Center "Energy Aspects of Kazakhstan", hosted a round table "Hydrogen Energy: Prospects, Search for the Concept of Hydrogen Energy in Kazakhstan".
Experts from government agencies, industry and research institutes, ENU scientists and students took part in the discussion on this topic. The moderator was Almaz Abildayev, Director of the Center "Energy Aspects of Kazakhstan".
Opening the round table, ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov informed on the ongoing scientific work of the university's scientists on the study of hydrogen energy.
"ENU scientists have been conducting scientific activities in the field of hydrogen energy for more than 15 years, working on the creation of new high-tech and environmentally friendly technologies to reduce air pollution by industrial enterprises. Our university supports the scientific research of scientists and creates the necessary conditions," Ye. Sydykov said.
As Vice Minister of Energy Sungat Yessimkhanov noted, the topic of hydrogen energy is relevant for many countries, including Kazakhstan.
"Today, Kazakhstan is developing a document that will determine the future of hydrogen energy in the republic. The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan plans to take measures to have achieved carbon neutrality by 2060 and decarbonize the economy of Kazakhstan," he said.
Manuel Andresh, Head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office of the German Foreign Ministry in Kazakhstan, spoke about Germany's experience in the development of hydrogen energy. According to him, Germany has developed a National Hydrogen Strategy for Germany, there is a Committee of State Secretaries for Hydrogen, which is engaged in strategic management, setting goals, objectives, and an action plan.
In his presentation, the foreign expert presented methods of decarbonization and climate protection using green hydrogen in Kazakhstan and other countries. As noted by Manuel Andresh, Kazakhstan has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan through green hydrogen.
"We are planning to implement a research project to understand what contribution green hydrogen can make to climate protection in Kazakhstan. An analysis will be carried out in which sectors and how effectively it can be used, how much CO2 emissions it can eventually prevent. And this study, in turn, is also relevant for various ministries.
Of course, Kazakhstan has great potential and experience in exporting energy resources. However, unlike many other exporters, Kazakhstan also has an industry that can be decarbonized with hydrogen. This allows the economy to grow and diversify while decarbonizing," the head of the hydrogen Diplomacy Office of the German Foreign Ministry in Kazakhstan said.
He also said that a Forum on Hydrogen Diplomacy in Central Asia and Europe will be held in May this year, which will discuss the prospects of green hydrogen for national economies, coordination of hydrogen policy, seminars will be held to discuss challenges and overcome barriers, identify opportunities and develop decarbonization policies in Kazakhstan, as well as a round table on analysis the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Timur Zhantikin, General Director of the LLP “Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants”, also spoke at the event about the role of nuclear power plants in the green energy sector of Kazakhstan; Kairat Kuterbekov, an ENU Professor, Director of the Research Institute “Eurasian Institute of Physical and Energy Research” spoke on highly efficient hydrogen energy technologies and the creation of an H2 hub as well as Daulet Zhakupov, Director of the Department for Alternative Energy of the LLP “KMG Engineering” on the prospects for the development of hydrogen energy in Kazakhstan.