Technology mangement framework on the transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the Philippines /Abbasali Pakzad

Dissertation

College of Industrial Education Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management Technological University of the Philippines 2021

Attaining a successful transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) in the Philippine automotive market will require strong and persistent commitment by fuel producers, vehicle manufacturers, transporters and merchants, consumers, and government including local governments. The interaction of these agents determines the regulations and policies along with market attraction which leads to the success of the transition. The transition to HFCVs faces several barriers. The high cost is one of the significant barrier and might persist for a long period of time. Despite of the barriers, what makes this transition interesting is the potential rewards to the economy, environment, and national security. The main objective of this study is to develop a technology management framework for the proposed transition to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs) in the Philippines. This requires considering the prospects and challenges of HFCV transitioning along with the development of a roadmap with a timeframe. This research focuses on the determination of the prospects, key challenges, including the crucial steps towards the transition to HFCVs in the Philippines by analyzing the following scenarios for HFCV transition in the Philippines: Operational factors, Technical factors, Socioeconomic factors, Environmental factors, Government and private sector role and support for HFCV transition, Policy consideration and challenges for HFCV transition, Necessary initiatives of the stakeholders for HFCV transition. The cross-sectional method which is an observational study that analyses the data collected from related population and the combination of qualitative and quantitative research along with the statistical approaches (ANOVA and Homogeneity of Variance Tests) was employed in this study. The study further utilized descriptive research and analytical design methods which involved selected automakers, government agencies, energy producers, car owners and public commuters. The said respondents were considered as important sources of information. The SWOT analysis was also conducted for all the parameters that are identified as significant in the development of the technology management framework. A total of three hundred fifty (350) respondents were considered in this study. This is broken down as follows: eleven (11) respondents from Government Agencies, nine (9) respondents from Energy Producers, one hundred thirteen (113) from Automakers, and two hundred seventeen (217) from the Consumers or Automobile Owners. The level of awareness and perception of the respondents were determined and used as bases in the formulation of viable actions and a workable management framework to address the transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the Philippines. Moreover, a technology management framework, and roadmap were developed for the transition to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in the Philippines. The study revealed that there is an increasing awareness of the rest of the population through more hydrogen introduction, hydrogen information campaign and the possible advertisement of hydrogen technologies. Achieving a successful transition to HFCVs in the Philippine automotive market will require a strong and sustained commitment by energy producers, vehicle manufacturers, transporters and retailers, consumers, and governments. The identified potential economic benefits of this study include sustainable energy, energy independence, national security, and securing future energy, while the environmental benefits include emission reduction that leads to environmental protection and a decrease in health risks. With some direct policy involvement to help overcome significant market barriers and with policy support to share the costs of HFCV transition with the private sector, HFCVs transition along with a sustainable market transformation in the Philippines is possible. The new energy policies such as incentives ease of policies for investors, encouraging private sector with incentives and disincentives (carrot and stick policy) to fully participate in investment for hydrogen technology and industry are required to be more fully integrated with other initiatives to promote economic growth, more efficient communities, and a cleaner environment. The importance of the policies should be on reducing the cost of HFCVs and hydrogen fuel for consumers along with reducing the risk for private investors by lowering the investment costs and providing a reasonable framework for profits. -Author's Abstract.