Koji Yamamoto

Koji Yamamoto is a Senior Councilor and the Chief Technology Officer at the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). He earned his Ph.D. from Tohoku University in 2004, specializing in acoustics, reservoir geomechanics, and numerical modeling. His career spans both the private consulting sector and government organizations, where he has led numerous R&D projects addressing challenges in petroleum field development. The Middle East is one of his key areas of interest, and he has been actively involved in various projects in the UAE and other countries in the region. More recently, Dr. Yamamoto has expanded his focus to include the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and low-carbon fuel initiatives, such as blue hydrogen and ammonia. He currently oversees teams engaged in several multinational and international collaborative projects. In addition to his professional work, Dr. Yamamoto lectures on technical subjects at Kyoto University and Kyushu University. He also serves as the Asia-Pacific Regional Director for the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

13:05

Hydrogen Conference Room A 13:05 - 13:45

Driving hydrogen forward: technology, standards and a level playing field

Hydrogen has the potential to become a cornerstone of the future low-carbon energy system, but achieving large-scale deployment requires more than just advanced production methods. Whether through high-efficiency electrolysers, carbon capture or nuclear - and methane-based pathways, breakthrough technologies can lower costs and carbon footprints – provided they operate within flexible, well-defined rules such as carbon pricing mechanisms and certification schemes. Consistent international standards, unbiased policy frameworks, alignment with emission reduction targets and traceability of embedded emissions will prove critical in accelerating market uptake. By combining diverse solutions under a technology-agnostic umbrella, the hydrogen sector can overcome challenges related to water usage, environmental impacts and cost, paving the way for scalability and commercialisation.

Attendee insights:

Explore how a flexible regulatory environment, robust certification processes, and emerging technologies can collectively transform hydrogen into a scalable, cost-effective and sustainable energy option.