Hydrogen

With the joint-feasibility study between Australia and Germany into the viability of a renewable hydrogen supply chain between the two nations now underway, Western Australia, perhaps the most eager Australian state to establish a green hydrogen export industry, has hosted an inaugural roundtable with some of the two nations biggest industry hitters.

S&P Global Platts has recognised a little-known, self-funded Australian technology company with a prestigious Global Energy Award for its development of a hydrogen demand activator. Star Scientific chairman Andrew Horvath reveals how his company is making its market on the world stage …

Hydrogen demand in South Korea is expected to reach 17 million tonnes by 2050. An ambitious solar PV project in the heart of Queensland’s unconventional-gas country, plans to be an early green supplier of the manufacturing nation’s hydrogen needs.

The Climate Council has published a report to put the final nail in the outdated notion of gas as a transition fuel, and to nix the validity of a gas-led recovery.

Viva Energy Australia has signed memorandums of understanding with key industry partners would could see its Geelong oil refinery, currently struggling to transition to an LNG terminal, transition into an energy hub featuring solar and hydrogen.

Engie and ammonia producer Yara have published findings from their long-awaited feasibility study into the development of renewable hydrogen and ammonia at Yara’s Pilbara Fertilisers plant. The study has led to development plans for large-scale renewable hydrogen and ammonia development with the first phase, a 10 MW solar farm and electrolyser, already instigated.

The joint-feasibility study into green hydrogen production and trade between Australia and Germany has officially begun, work on what the German Federal Minister of Research has dubbed the “Wasserstoffbrücke,” or “hydrogen bridge”.

The £12.7 million project will explore how to transport pure and blended hydrogen for use in heating and industrial purposes. Construction will start next year.

Western Australian utility Horizon Power will build the nation’s first remote microgrid using renewable hydrogen generation at Denham, in the state’s northwest, having secured the support of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Australia is positioned to become a renewable energy “superpower” with multinational consultancy Ernst & Young (EY) suggesting the nation’s green hydrogen and solar energy export plans have it well placed to take advantage of a growing market.