Hydrogen

Brisbane-based renewables solutions company Sunshine Hydro has joined forces with the Central Queensland University to develop and trial technology that orchestrates long-duration storage and renewable energy ecosystems with implication for sustainable fuel production.

Fortescue has broken ground on a $75.5 million project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region that is to produce green iron using renewable hydrogen produced onsite through 1.4 MW of electrolyser capacity powered in part by the nearby 60 MW Chichester Solar Farm.

A proposal to build a renewable energy hydrogen project including 26 GW of solar and wind capacity in Western Australia’s Pilbara region is to benefit from a streamlined approvals process after it was awarded major project status by the federal government.

The first element of a clean energy hub being built next to the coal-fired Kogan power plant in Queensland is now fully operational with CS Energy confirming its 100 MW / 200 MWh Chinchilla battery energy storage system has commenced commercial operations.

A team of researchers based in Queensland has incorporated overload capacity and power-dependent efficiency of the electrolyser in a novel techno-economic model to calculate the levelised cost of hydrogen.

Adelaide-headquartered green hydrogen developer Sparc Hydrogen is progressing its South Australian pilot plant with front-end engineering and design, on the back of other milestones putting the project on target to begin construction Q4 2024.

Australian fuel retailer Ampol has committed to a multitude of decarbonisation strategies throughout its service station network, including the roll out of electric vehicle charging stations and rooftop solar, funded in part by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Mining giant Fortescue Metals Group has begun commissioning its 100 MW solar farm at the North Star Junction south of Port Hedland in Western Australia, as the company progresses toward a target of real zero by 2030.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists Australia is “on track” to become a global renewable hydrogen superpower despite mining billionaire and green hydrogen advocate Andrew Forrest signalling a major slowdown of Fortescue’s ambitions.

Operator of Sydney’s Bankstown Airport has partnered with an Australian electric and hydrogen-cell powered aircraft designer and manufacturer to introduce hydrogen as an aviation fuel on site, paving the way for sustainable flight in Australia.