Sustainability, electric vehicles, and decarbonization were repeatedly mentioned during the 1st ASEAN Battery and Electric Vehicle Technology Conference in Bali, Indonesia. These words are now the "talk of the town" as we combat this inevitable climate change. One of the many ways to help stop this is to equip ourselves with knowledge. This conference was filled with information on how ASEAN countries can foster and implement this mutually-beneficial partnership among us.
Driving Change for the Future
The ASEAN region has taken a significant step towards decarbonization and a sustainable future by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the 1st ASEAN Battery and Electric Vehicle Technology Conference in Bali, Indonesia. The National Center for Sustainable Transportation Technology, the Singapore Battery Consortium, and the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association organized the event, with journalists from the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore covering the proceedings.
*MoU Signing Ceremony (from left to right):Dr. Leonardo Gunawan, Director of NCSTT (Indonesia); Dr. Davy Cheong, Director, Singapore Battery Consortium; Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, President Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA); Dr. Jose Bienvenido Manuel M. Biona, Ph.D. Executive Director, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines(EVAP), De La Salle University;Dr. Rezal Khairi Bin Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of NanoMalaysia Berhad; Prof. Dr. rer. Nat. Evvy Kartini, Founder of National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) (Indonesia)*
The conference will highlight the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the six leading associations in the region to explore research and development collaboration activities in the area of batteries. The parties intend to jointly develop and promote an ASEAN Battery Ecosystem that will facilitate the growth of the battery industry in the region.
The six associations are the Singapore Battery Consortium (SBC), the National Center for Sustainable Transportation Technology (NCSTT) from Indonesia, and Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA), the National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) (Indonesia), NanoMalaysia Berhad and Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP). They have committed to working together to enhance the region's battery industry's research and development capabilities and foster greater collaboration among industry players.
Dr. Davy Cheong, Director of Singapore Battery Consortium, said, "ASEAN is an increasingly important region in the global ecosystem of battery and electric vehicle in the supply chain, manufacturing, and R&D. This tie-up looks to bring various players together, to work in synergy, and provide the right platform for networking, discussions, and collaborations."
Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, President of Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA): "The MOU signing ceremony on battery development between the six leading organizations in Southeast Asia is expected to help strengthen the collaboration within our region. It will be a good starting point for us all to move together towards economic prosperity in conjunction with sustainable development in an important and fast-growing industry."
Dr. Leonardo Gunawan, Director of NCSTT: "We are looking forward and excited to collaborate with ASEAN institutions to develop and promote the ASEAN Battery Ecosystem as a significant step towards an integrated and sustainable transportation system in Indonesia. Our partnership will advance battery technology, safety, standards, and circular economy research to build a competitive transportation industry with strong national support. This will contribute to the success and growth of the region's energy storage industry."
Prof. Dr. Ret. Nat. Evvy Kartini, Founder of National Battery Research Institute (NBRI): "Indonesia has great potential in the battery industry, with abundant reserves of nickel, manganese, and other minerals needed for battery production. The National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) is eager to enhance national capacity by mastering technology, improving human resources, and actively advising policy. The collaboration with other ASEAN organizations will further enhance Indonesia's position as a key player in the regional battery market."
Dr. Rezal Khairi Bin Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of NanoMalaysia Berhad: "NanoMalaysia is excited to be part of the multilateral partnership between organizations leading the charge in EV and battery technologies in South East Asia to activate regional supply and value chains for electric vehicles components to make investment in the region more strategic and attractive and ownership of EV more affordable."
Furthermore, there were keynote speeches from representatives of leading companies in the Energy Storage System & EV industry, such as UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), Honda R&D Co., Ltd (Japan), Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI), ZF Japan Co., Ltd, PT Pertamina (Persero), and PT. Energi Kreasi Bersama (Electrum), as well as sharing sessions from more than 15 industry experts from HIOKI E.E. Corporation, ANWHA (Shanghai) Automation Engineering Co., LTD, Arthur D. Little, Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), CADFEM SEA Pte. Ltd., ULVAC Technologies, Inc, NanoMalaysia Berhad, Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and more. The topics for the sessions include ASEAN Battery Collaboration, ASEAN Electric Vehicle Roadmap and Development, Swappable Battery and Energy Storage Systems, Battery Circular Economy, Design & Production Technology, Safety Test, and Calibration.
The conference featured various presentations and discussions on battery and electric vehicle technology, sustainability, and the transition to a low-carbon future. Experts from industry, government, and academia shared their insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of decarbonization, highlighting the need for collaboration and innovation to achieve a sustainable energy future.
One of the key takeaways from the conference was the importance of developing a sustainable energy ecosystem, which encompasses both battery and electric vehicle technology and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
As Dr. Yossapong Laoonual King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) emphasized, "What we need now is a change of attitude."
It will be essential to foster partnerships between industry, government, and academia, leveraging the strengths of each to create a more integrated and sustainable energy system. Another important topic discussed at the conference was the role of policy in driving the transition to a low-carbon future. Participants highlighted the need for consistent policies that incentivize developing and adopting sustainable energy technologies while supporting new industries' growth and job creation.
The conference also highlighted the importance of education and awareness-raising for the general public and policymakers. By building greater awareness of the benefits of battery and electric vehicle technology and the urgency of decarbonization efforts, it will be possible to build support for sustainable energy policies and initiatives.
The signing of the MOU signals the region's commitment to pursuing a sustainable energy future, and the conference provided valuable insights and recommendations for achieving this goal. By continuing to work together and build partnerships, the ASEAN region can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.