Review of the Effects of Fossil Fuels and the Need for a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Policy in Malaysia

Muhammad Asyraf Azni, Rasyikah Md Khalid (), Umi Azmah Hasran and Siti Kartom Kamarudin
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Muhammad Asyraf Azni: Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Rasyikah Md Khalid: Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Umi Azmah Hasran: Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Siti Kartom Kamarudin: Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: The world has relied on fossil fuel energy for a long time, producing many adverse effects. Long-term fossil fuel dependency has increased carbon emissions and accelerated climate change. In addition, fossil fuels are also depleting and will soon be very costly. Moreover, the expensive national electricity grid has yet to reach rural areas and will be cut off in inundation areas. As such, alternative and carbon-free hydrogen fuel cell energy is highly recommended as it solves these problems. The reviews find that (i) compared to renewable energy such as solar, biomass, and hydropower, a fuel cell does not require expensive transmission through an energy grid and is carbon-free, and hence, it is a faster agent to decelerate climate change; (ii) fuel cell technologies have reached an optimum level due to the high-efficiency production of energy, and they are environmentally friendly; (iii) the absence of a policy on hydrogen fuel cells will hinder investment from private companies as they are not adequately regulated. It is thus recommended that countries embarking on hydrogen fuel cell development have a specific policy in place to allow the government to fund and regulate hydrogen fuel cells in the energy generation mix. This is essential as it provides the basis for alternative energy governance, development, and management of a country.

Keywords: alternative energy; climate change; carbon emission; fossil fuel; hydrogen fuel cell (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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