Jakarta, INTI - Hydrogen energy and green manufacturing are considered crucial drivers for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon energy system. This was highlighted during the keynote session on the second day of the International Conference on Sustainable Energy Engineering and Application (ICSEEA) 2026, organized by the Energy and Manufacturing Research Organization (OREM) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), at Hotel Trembesi BSD, Serpong, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Ta-Hui Lin from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, emphasized the strategic role of hydrogen in the global energy transition. According to him, various international reports indicate that hydrogen demand will continue to rise until 2050, particularly in the industrial and transportation sectors. However, the adoption of new hydrogen applications remains slow.
“New applications relative to total hydrogen demand are still very small. This indicates the need to accelerate research, technological innovation, and policy support,” said Ta-Hui Lin.
He stressed that green hydrogen represents the most sustainable option for the future of energy. “Further research on green hydrogen production and utilization technologies is key to achieving global carbon neutrality,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hong Shik Lee from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) presented breakthroughs in safer and more efficient hydrogen-based energy processing technologies. This technology is designed to replace conventional deoxygenation processes, which have traditionally relied on hydrogen and posed high safety risks.
According to Lee, using water allows reaction and product separation processes to occur simultaneously, enhancing both energy efficiency and industrial process safety. “We have developed a water-based approach through hydrothermal processes, enabling oxygen removal without dry conditions or hazardous materials,” Lee explained.
A similar approach was presented by Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. He proposed an alternative deoxygenation process through water-based hydrothermal and hydrosolvolysis reactions. “The main advantage of this method is the integration between the reaction and product separation within a single system,” said Tegoeh.
He added that the development of hybrid purification and the use of supercritical CO₂ as a process medium open opportunities for broader industrial applications. Near-term research is focused on supporting the transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy and industrial process systems.
Green and Smart Manufacturing, AI-Driven Efficiency and Waste Reduction
In the manufacturing sector, Ahmad Razlan from Universiti Malaysia Pahang highlighted the importance of green and smart manufacturing to address the challenges of modern industry. Integrating sustainability principles with artificial intelligence can increase energy efficiency, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce production waste.
“Technologies such as nano-coolant, machine learning, and predictive maintenance have been proven to significantly lower energy consumption and production costs,” said Ahmad.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Al’Hapis from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute emphasized the potential of utilizing industrial and agricultural waste as environmentally friendly materials. He explained that empty palm fruit bunches and poultry feathers have great potential to be developed into value-added composite materials.
“This approach not only reduces waste but also strengthens the principles of the circular economy and the competitiveness of the green industry,” he said.
ICSEEA 2026 served as a platform for exchanging ideas and the latest research in sustainable energy and manufacturing. Through presentations by researchers from various countries, the conference highlighted a variety of technological approaches being developed to address energy transition challenges and industrial efficiency.
Conclusion
ICSEEA 2026 demonstrated that the transition to low-carbon energy and sustainable manufacturing requires a multi-faceted approach: advanced hydrogen technologies, AI-enabled smart manufacturing, and circular economy practices. By combining research, innovation, and practical applications, these strategies can accelerate energy transition, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen industrial competitiveness globally.
Read more: UK Achieves Record Solar Capacity in Latest Renewable Energy Auction