- Projects being investigated have potential to kick-start job-creating renewable hydrogen industry
The McGowan Government will invest $1.68 million to support feasibility studies across seven proposed renewable hydrogen projects for Western Australia to support development of the fledgling job-creating industry.
The studies, funded through the McGowan Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund, include examining creating solar hydrogen for waste collection and light vehicle fleets in Cockburn, a hydrogen refuelling hub in Mandurah and the potential for an electrolysis hydrogen production plant in the Great Southern or Wheatbelt.
Other proposals include a standalone power system for an indigenous community in the Pilbara using 100 per cent renewable energy; a hydrogen production facility near Kununurra using existing hydro generation; examining the compatibility of the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas transmission pipeline with blended hydrogen and looking at the integration of renewable hydrogen with isolated power stations.
The fund is a key part of the McGowan Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy which aims to position the State as a major producer, user and exporter of renewable hydrogen.
The seven studies align with the strategy’s four Strategic Focus Areas of export, remote applications, blending in natural gas networks and transport.
Project applications through the fund’s project funding stream have closed and will be announced in coming months.
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Western Australia needs to explore how we can produce, use and provide energy to our international partners through clean and reliable sources – renewable energy via hydrogen provides a means to do this.
“This feasibility studies will facilitate significant private sector investment and leverage financial support for a job-creating renewable hydrogen industry in WA.
“We received 19 feasibility study applications of which seven have been selected: confirming there is strong interest in developing a renewable hydrogen industry in WA.
“The projects being investigated have the potential to create new jobs, skills and training opportunities – particularly in regional Western Australia.”
| Applicant | Region | Strategic Focus Area | Feasibility Study | Grant amount $million |
| ATCO Australia Pty Ltd
|
Great Southern or Wheatbelt
|
Transport and Blending in natural gas networks
|
Clean Energy Innovation Park
Feasibility study for a 10 MW electrolysis hydrogen production plant. |
$0.375
|
| City of Cockburn
|
Metro
|
Transport
|
Green Hydrogen for City of Cockburn
Feasibility study for solar hydrogen production for waste collection and light vehicle fleets. Study also examines cogeneration opportunities for electricity and heat production. |
$0.149
|
| DBNGP (WA) Nominees Pty Ltd
|
Pilbara, Mid West, Metro and Peel
|
Blending in natural gas networks
|
Preparing the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline for Hydrogen
Feasibility study examining the compatibility of the transmission pipeline with blended hydrogen, includes preparing a roadmap for development of regulations for hydrogen blended gas in WA. |
$0.216
|
| Energy Developments Limited
|
Goldfields-Esperance and Kimberley
|
Remote applications
|
Hyer Penetration – EDL Hydrogen Enabled Hybrid Renewables
Feasibility study for the integration of renewable hydrogen production with isolated power stations. |
$0.243
|
| Hazer Group Limited
|
Peel
|
Transport
|
Renewable Hydrogen Transport Hub in the City of Mandurah
Feasibility study for a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure hub and associated transport applications. |
$0.250
|
| Murdoch University | Pilbara
|
Remote applications
|
Hybrid PV-Battery-Hydrogen System for Microgrids
Feasibility study for 100% renewable energy standalone power system for an indigenous community in the Pilbara. Study includes development of a new modelling tool to optimise design. |
$0.075
|
| Pacific Hydro Australia Developments Pty Ltd | Kimberley | Export, Transport and Remote applications | Ord Hydrogen
Feasibility study for hydrogen production facility near Kununurra utilising existing hydro generation. |
$0.370
|
| Totals (GST exc) | $1.678 |
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