We spend 60 seconds with Shingo Ueno, Senior Managing Executive Office, General Manager, Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics Business Unit
What
specific activities related to hydrogen is your company currently pursuing?
Post COP21, the environment surrounding the
energy sector is changing in a very dramatic ways, where we see hydrogen
playing a key role in the global energy transition to prevent greenhouse gas
emissions.
In fact, prior to COP21, internally we had
already established a cross-functional group, the ‘Hydrogen Value Chain
Committee’, in July 2015 to enhance our network in the hydrogen community and
centralize our hydrogen business opportunities. Since then, we have intensified
our initiatives on climate change and the role of hydrogen by upgrading our
‘Hydrogen Value Chain Committee’ to the ‘Hydrogen Working Group’ in May 2018
for more effective engagement.
This Working Group is currently making
efforts to materialize various opportunities within the hydrogen supply chain
(e.g. Production, Transportation/Storage, and Utilization), along with the
cooperation and strategic alliances with companies that share our views on
hydrogen.
Have
you noticed any trends in the way hydrogen energy is being used in the regions
where you operate? Where do you see potential for greater hydrogen use and
integration into existing systems?
Firstly, we have identified strategic
regions for hydrogen business development.
–
Europe, North America, Japan:
regions with hydrogen R&D technology and strong governmental support
–
Australia: region with massive,
and various, hydrogen resources
–
China: region with vast market
potential for hydrogen
We see regions driving hydrogen as a source
of renewable energy moving toward an off-grid (localized production and
consumption) type of supply chain, while other regions like Japan are working
to create a massive global-scale hydrogen supply system produced overseas.
Therefore, we see regional differences in the means of establishing hydrogen
supply.
Sumitomo, as a global organization
operating multiple businesses across a vast range of industries in 81 countries
and regions, aims to add more value to hydrogen energy by creating a custom fit
business model for each region, and always staying one step ahead, creating new
value and contributing broadly to society.
Why
did you make the decision to join the Hydrogen Council? What value do you see
in this initiative and your role as a member?
We joined the Hydrogen Council because we
believe climate change requires a joint effort involving international
cooperation with governments and the private sector. Global collaboration will
also be crucial to overcome current challenges, such as scaling up, cost
reduction, and regulatory support in the hydrogen domain. Such collaboration,
and facilitation of efforts to meet these challenges, we believe, is a key
function of the Hydrogen Council.
Making use of our extensive expertise, we
would like to contribute to the Hydrogen Council and work with other council
members to accelerate the arrival of the hydrogen-based society that awaits us.
