Hydrogen

BlueScope Steel, the country’s largest steelmaker, will partner with its local university in Wollongong and Future Fuels CRC to undertake a 13 month research project investigating options for decarbonising its operations at the Port Kembla Steelworks.

Oil and gas giant BP is reportedly set to take a 30% stake in the 26 GW Asian Renewable Energy Hub project proposed for Western Australia’s north coast.

In recent years, Longi has turned its attention to green hydrogen. Li Zhenguo, company founder and CEO, recently spoke to pv magazine about its strategic shift and how he believes that coupling this technology with solar PV will be the key to achieving carbon neutrality.

Queensland-based transport group SeaLink Marine & Tourism has won state government backing to build a “world-first” internationally compliant renewable hydrogen-powered passenger ferry.

Japanese industrial heavyweight Sumitomo Corporation has declared a green hydrogen pilot plant to be built at resources giant Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone in Queensland has the potential to shape the future of the heavy industry sector in Australia.

Queensland government-owned utility CS Energy has signed a deal with ASX-listed gas company Senex Energy to develop the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, which is set to produce 50 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from behind-the-meter solar PV energy.

Plans for a massive green hydrogen and ammonia production facility powered by more than 5GW of wind and solar PV generation in Western Australia have been revealed with the proponents of the estimated $10 billion project lodging an environmental assessment with the state government this week.

Advanced Ionics has developed an electrolyser that runs at temperatures below 650 C. It is reportedly able to produce hydrogen for US$0.85/kg (AU$1.2/kg) or less. CEO Chad Mason recently spoke with pv magazine to provide a closer look at the water vapour electrolysis tech.

A new report from IEEFA says green ammonia could help India significantly reduce its trillion-rupee fertiliser subsidy bill and cut dependence on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports for fertiliser production.

With its promise of cheap, easy ‘god molecules’ flowing inexhaustibly from the ground, it’s no wonder natural hydrogen is piquing interest. Sometimes referred to as ‘gold’ or ‘white’ hydrogen, Avon McIntyre, executive director of HyTerra, an Australian company in the space, told pv magazine Australia natural hydrogen projects should have smaller carbon footprints than sprawling green hydrogen plays and, moreover, would be ready quicker. Enticing as it sounds, unknowns remain.