Highlights
- ReNu Energy and Countrywide Renewable Hydrogen kick off a green hydrogen electrolysis production project in Southern Tasmania.
- Term sheet and option to lease land at Brighton, north of Hobart.
- Planned capacity of 1-2MW (430-900kg H2/day) providing opportunities for blending in the TasGas network, bus trial hydrogen supply, demonstration trucking on key S/N/NW freight routes and hydrogen supply to industrial gas customers.
- Potential to be the first mover in commercial production of green hydrogen by electrolysis in Tasmania – targeted to be online by Q4 2023.
- Complements advanced discussions with potential offtakers and partners to progress the planned 5-10MW Tasmanian green hydrogen project located in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.
ReNu Energy Limited (ASX: RNE) (ReNu Energy) is pleased to announce that it is completing the design of a green hydrogen electrolysis production facility, the Hydrogen Tasmania Brighton Project (the Project), to be developed 30 minutes north of Hobart.
With the intention to achieve early hydrogen production to support industry growth, the Project is to be funded by ReNu Energy and developed by its wholly owned subsidiary Countrywide Renewable Hydrogen Pty Ltd (CRH).
CRH has agreed a term sheet and executed an option to lease land owned by Bullock Property Developments Pty Ltd (Bullock Civil) and is negotiating supply of an electrolyser. The term sheet and option to lease set out the strategic framework for the parties to agree the commercial terms for the lease and to convert into definitive arrangements as the Project advances.
Countrywide Renewable Hydrogen Managing Director, Geoffrey Drucker said: The Brighton Hydrogen Project may prove to be the first mover in commercial production of green hydrogen by electrolysis in Tasmania. Associated gas blending and road transport trials will help to build public awareness and acceptance of hydrogen, while proven production is expected to attract further end- use applications to enhance emissions reduction priorities in the state. The project will create local
jobs and can support the delivery of skills-enhanced personnel to service the fuel cell electric vehicles and gas sectors, along with the storage, transport and handling of hydrogen.
The Project has a planned capacity of up to 2MW, or 900kg H2/day and will be designed to match expected hydrogen demand. Located adjacent to the Brighton Transport Hub, the Project will facilitate truck refuelling and has capacity to supply the TasGas Network Bridgewater city gate for potential blending with natural gas. Discussions on this opportunity are at an advanced stage.
The Project will also be able to service growing demand for a zero-carbon gas alternative within the Brighton area with the potential to supply industry with 100% clean hydrogen instead of carbon- based natural gas.
The availability of green hydrogen will provide the opportunity for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) manufacturers to establish vehicle capability on key routes, gas transporters to offer a decarbonisation option to customers and transport operators and their customers to have emission- free hydrogen fuel supplied for trial activities while proving FCEV viability.
The Project scope will involve procurement and installation of the electrolyser, grid and water connection and production of green hydrogen. Depending on partnering and offtake arrangements, the Project can include gas transport and blending to the Tas Gas network; Metro Tas’ FCEV bus trial hydrogen supply and refuelling; demonstration trucking on key S/N/NW freight routes; establishment of refuelling facilities at the Brighton Transport Hub; and hydrogen supply to industrial gas customers in the Brighton area.
Subject to necessary approvals and finalising commercial arrangements, the Project is targeted to be online by Q4 2023. The Project is expected to be a collaboration between CRH, an identified partner, Bullock Civil and the Tasmanian Government.
To minimise the cost of electricity for the project, there is potential for additional investment to provide behind the meter power via a solar farm located to the north of the land parcel identified jointly with Bullock Civil. Tasmanian engineering consultancy Entura has been engaged to undertake a pre-feasibility study on behind-the-meter power generation.
ReNu Energy CEO Greg Watson said: With all the capabilities this project can provide, corporates can have access to a zero-emission alternative for supply chain logistics. The Project complements advanced discussions with potential offtakers and partners to progress the planned 5-10MW Tasmanian green hydrogen project located in the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.
This announcement has been authorised for release to ASX by the Chairman and CEO of ReNu Energy.
About ReNu Energy
ReNu Energy’s purpose is to strategically drive the transition to a low carbon future. It does this by investing in renewable and clean energy technologies and identifying and developing hydrogen projects to create stakeholder value, enabling the transformation to a low carbon future through collaboration and innovation.
ReNu Energy’s vision is to be a leader in the renewable and clean energy sector in Australia striving for a sustainable future, producing hydrogen for domestic use and with a portfolio of domestic and international projects.
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