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Six firms to study Australian green hydrogen project

9/16/2021

Tom Young - 16 September 2021

Japanese and Australian companies look at project to produce renewable hydrogen from 1GW electrolyser by 2026

Six companies—four Japanese and two Australian—have signed an agreement to carry out a $10.4mn feasibility study for a 35,000t/yr green hydrogen project in Queensland, Australia that would produce fuel to be shipped to Japan.

The project—which hopes to raise output to 200,000t/yr by 2031—has secured a potential site in the Gladstone region and is looking to acquire about 100 hectares in Fisherman’s Landing as a hydrogen liquefaction and loading base.

The feasibility study will focus on suitable production technologies and the construction of hydrogen liquefaction plants and liquefied hydrogen carriers, as well as associated finance and environmental assessments and commercialisation models.

The initial phase of the project would require a 1GW electrolyser, growing to 7GW by 2031.

“Through the activities of the project, all six companies will make every effort to create a bilateral large-scale hydrogen supply chain promoted by the Japanese and Australian governments, and thereby contribute to the realisation of a zero-carbon society,” says a joint statement by the firms.

The four Japanese companies are Iwatani, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kansai Electric Power and Marubeni. The two Australian firms are Stanwell and APA Group.

On top of the feasibility study, Stanwell will also undertake a study into local workforce and manufacturing development.

Forming partnerships with other firms is a key part of the development of the hydrogen economy, according to Stanwell CEO Adam Aspinall.

“Collaboration with key partners across all parts of the supply chain is critical to helping drive down the cost of hydrogen technologies and supporting the development of the industry,” he says.

The project has had financial support from government body the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and internationally from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Queensland has some of the best sun and wind resources in Australia, according to APA Group CEO Rob Wheals.

“Australia’s advantages in hydrogen are enormous, and this project could be a game-changer in helping Queensland develop a hydrogen industry at scale,” he says.