Curtin Malaysia students explore hydrogen technology driving Sarawak’s clean energy future

Miri, Sarawak – 11 October 2025 – In line with Sarawak’s vision to lead the region in renewable energy innovation, students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently gained hands-on experience with hydrogen technology during an educational visit to the university’s cutting-edge Hydrogen Testbed.

The visit, organised by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science as part of the ‘Renewable Energy Principles’ course, gave the students a close-up look at the systems shaping the state’s hydrogen economy – from hydrogen production and storage to its use as a clean fuel source.

Dr. Siaw Teck Ung, lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, led the session, offering the students an in-depth understanding of how hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, stored, and converted back to electricity through fuel cells. His explanations highlighted hydrogen’s growing importance in Sarawak’s energy transition under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“Seeing hydrogen technology up close was eye-opening,” said third-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Samuel Lau. “The visit helped me connect what we learn in class to real-world applications that can transform how Sarawak meets its energy needs.”

Launched in September 2024, Curtin Malaysia’s Hydrogen Testbed, housed at the Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories (CARL) – serves as both a research platform and a teaching facility. It allows students and researchers to explore hydrogen as a viable clean energy source while contributing to Sarawak’s broader sustainability agenda.

Professor Stephanie Chan Yen San, Director of Curtin Malaysia’s Centre for New and Sustainable Energy Research and Ventures (CONSERV), said the facility plays a vital dual role in advancing research and education.

“The Hydrogen Testbed is a living laboratory for innovation,” she said. “It provides our students with valuable hands-on experience while driving collaborative research that supports Sarawak’s clean energy ambitions and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

In addition to its research applications, Curtin Malaysia is also incorporating hydrogen technology into everyday campus life. The university recently acquired two hydrogen-powered bikes, enabling staff and students to experience hydrogen mobility firsthand and better understand its potential for sustainable transport.

The initiative reflects Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to equipping future engineers with the skills and knowledge needed for the global energy transition. Its Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (Honours) programme, double-accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), continues to produce graduates who are ready to contribute to the rapidly evolving energy and technology sectors.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Dr. Siaw (standing, front centre) posing with students at the Hydrogen Testbed at CARL.