Australia

Victoria is accelerating plans to carve out a share of the evolving global hydrogen market, calling for Expressions of Interest from parties keen to play a role in the newly launched Greater Geelong Hydrogen Technology Cluster.

Western Australia’s Minister for Hydrogen Industry, Alannah MacTiernan, said her state plans to be producing 10 GW of green hydrogen in the next decade, with aspirations of getting to 200 GW by 2040. A parade of other state ministers followed MacTiernan addressing the Australian Hydrogen Conference, each eager to assert that their region will become the country’s hydrogen capital.

Larry Marshall, Chief Executive of the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, told Australia’s Hydrogen Conference that he was “highly optimistic” about Australia’s future, saying the country is currently at the “forefront” of hydrogen – a position not often held by our island state and one we must “dig our teeth into.”

Australian electric vehicle charging company Tritium has sealed a $1.55 billion merger deal with a United States-based special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) which will see it publicly listed on the Nasdaq.

Oil and gas giant Woodside Energy is exploring a move into large-scale solar PV, floating plans to develop a 100 MW solar plant alongside its Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

The Queensland Government is doubling down on its renewable energy strategy, announcing the state’s largest battery is soon to be connected to the grid and unveiling plans to build a large-scale standalone battery alongside the coal-fired Tarong Power Station.

Australian software firm Dug Technology has revealed its ambition to build the “world’s first” carbon-free data centre powered by renewable energy in Western Australia’s coastal city of Geraldton.

A national motoring body has called on the Federal Government to “provide leadership”, declaring the rollout of electric vehicles in Australia is facing significant roadblocks.

Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, has launched a collaborative “Team Australia” style mission bringing together actors from all aspects of hydrogen development and production toward the goal of driving costs below $2/kg and driving Australia toward hydrogen superpower status by 2030.

A microgrid research project taking place in four farming communities located in New South Wales and Queensland. Over 50 smart meters are collecting real-time energy data to determine models and microgrid solutions to help farmers struggling with high electricity bills, and to help the struggling network of energy infrastructure.