European Trip by Prominent Australian Hydrogen Delegation for World Hydrogen Conference
Australia and the Netherlands Partner to Build Hydrogen Supply Chain
Australia is set to strengthen its position as a global leader in hydrogen production, with the announcement of a new partnership with the Netherlands to establish a hydrogen supply chain from Australia to Europe via the Port of Rotterdam.
The collaboration, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see Australian and Dutch companies working together to develop and implement innovative technologies for the production, transportation, and storage of green hydrogen.
The partnership is part of a broader strategy by the Australian government to proactively develop international supply chains for hydrogen, as stated by Ms Annika Barton, Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Ms Barton noted that Australia is currently engaged in multiple international partnerships, including with Germany and the Netherlands.
One such project is EGH2, a joint venture between Edify Energy and Siemens Energy Global GmbH. EGH2 involves applied research collaborations with universities in Australia and Germany, with the aim of advancing hydrogen production and storage technologies. EGH2 was awarded conditional funding through the HyGATE Incubator Initiative earlier this year.
Australian companies are at the forefront of developing highly innovative technology across the renewable hydrogen value chain, attracting considerable interest from industry partners around the world. For instance, Provaris Energy has launched a floating hydrogen storage solution with a capacity range of 300-600 tonnes, while H2X Global has partnered with Norwegian Hydrogen to create a single channel for the production, purchase, and distribution of green hydrogen, as well as hydrogen refueling stations.
The Australian government has committed close to A$1.6 billion to accelerate the development of the hydrogen industry, with the aim of making Australia the largest net-exporter of hydrogen by 2050. This ambitious target is underpinned by Australia's abundant sunshine and wind resources, making it an ideal location to generate green hydrogen using clean energy.
The hydrogen investment pipeline in Australia is estimated to be worth A$230-300 billion (€140-180 billion), representing approximately 40 per cent of all global renewable hydrogen projects announced to date. This underscores Australia's position as a leading hydrogen innovator.
One Australian company, Hazer Group, is commercializing a novel method for producing low-emission hydrogen from methane, creating graphite as a by-product. Hazer Group has projects planned or underway with partners including ENGIE in France, Suncor and FortisBC Energy in Canada. The company expects its Commercial Demonstration Plant to produce hydrogen in the second half of 2023.
John Cole, CEO of Edify Energy, expressed a desire to see vast volumes of green hydrogen exported from Townsville, Australia. H2X Global, another Australian company, has already made strides in this direction, with its prototype pickup truck, the Warrego, already on the road in the Netherlands.
In addition to the partnership with the Netherlands, a major delegation of 35 Australian hydrogen companies will attend the World Hydrogen Summit (WHS) in Rotterdam from 9-11 May 2023. H2X Global, an Australian company that applies its hydrogen fuel cell technology to deliver zero-emission vehicles, will also be in attendance.
The World Hydrogen Summit is a significant platform for showcasing Australia's hydrogen ambitions and strengthening partnerships with European companies. While the search results do not specify direct Australia-Europe hydrogen export projects or partnerships announced at the World Hydrogen Summit, the alignment of hydrogen goals between Australia and Europe is evident.
In conclusion, while Australia faces challenges in realizing large-scale hydrogen export projects, particularly in the face of recent exits by major energy companies, the country remains a key potential hydrogen producer. The partnership with the Netherlands, along with ongoing collaborations with European companies, underscores Australia's commitment to becoming a global hydrogen superpower.
References: [1] Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. (2023). Hydrogen Headstart Program. Retrieved from https://www.industry.gov.au/hydrogen [2] bp. (2022). bp to exit Australian green hydrogen joint venture with CWP. Retrieved from https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/news-articles/2022/bp-to-exit-australian-green-hydrogen-joint-venture-with-cwp.html [3] Origin Energy. (2022). Origin Energy to exit hydrogen joint venture with CWP. Retrieved from https://www.originenergy.com.au/media/media-releases/2022/origin-energy-to-exit-hydrogen-joint-venture-with-cwp [4] European Commission. (2022). EU invests €26.7 million in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Spain and Portugal. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_5781 [5] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2022). Australia’s hydrogen industry: A global leader in renewable hydrogen. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_Australia_Hydrogen_Industry_Report_2022.pdf
- The innovative green hydrogen production, transportation, and storage technologies developed by Australian and Dutch businesses through the partnership will contribute significantly to the global clean energy industry and combat climate-change.
- The hydrogen supply chain partnership between Australia and the Netherlands is but one example of Australia's multiplying international hydrogen collaborations, such as with Germany and France, forging ahead in the environmental-science sector.
- The Australian government's A$1.6 billion investment in the hydrogen industry aims to capitalize on the country's abundant clean energy resources, transforming Australia into a global leader in hydrogen technology and environmental business.
- Renowned companies like Edify Energy, Provaris Energy, H2X Global, and Hazer Group are at the forefront of ambitious hydrogen projects, introducing groundbreaking hydrogen storage solutions and zero-emission vehicles to the global market.
- The hydrogen investment pipeline in Australia is projected to be worth A$230-300 billion, positioning the country as a pivotal contributor to the global renewable hydrogen projects and the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
- The World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam serves as a crucial platform for Australia to exhibit its hydrogen advancements, forge environmental-science alliances with European businesses, and demonstrate its commitment to becoming a preeminent global player in the hydrogen industry.
