The government of Sarawak, Malaysia, is initiating a plan to convert by-products from sago palm processing into hydrogen and other sources of clean energy. This move is a key component of the state’s long-term sustainability strategy. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted that sago remains an underutilized economic resource. Specifically, the methane gas released during the processing of sago can be captured and refined to isolate hydrogen, providing a viable feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More for clean energy production.

This initiative is supported by recently enacted sustainability legislation in Sarawak. The new laws include provisions for waste-to-energy projects, which create a legal framework for the commercialization of biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More, and other by-products from the region’s agricultural and forestry sectors. By creating value from materials that would otherwise be considered waste, Sarawak aims to build a more circular and sustainable economy.

The development of these new energy technologies requires a skilled labor force. To meet this demand, the technical training ecosystem in the Dalat region is being expanded. The launch of the Centre of Technical Excellence (CENTEXS) Dalat is a significant step in supplying the skilled workers needed to advance hydrogen, biomass, and biochar technologies. These sectors are considered fundamental to the future economic landscape of Sarawak.

SOURCE: Sarawak eyes sago waste as source for hydrogen, green energy | DayakDaily