Newspaper Thought Leadership: Hydrogen and its Role in the Energy Mix
Tasmania’s first ever green hydrogen production facility was launched in March, in what’s been described as a major milestone in the state’s clean energy journey.
The opening of the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre’s Hydrogen Production and Research Facility, located at the BOC Australia facility at Lutana, was touted as a pivotal moment in the ongoing mission to establish a green hydrogen industry in Tasmania.
It has the capacity to produce up to 262kg of commercial-scale hydrogen per day, which is enough to power two 22m hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger ferries for 24 hours.
This piece of newspaper thought leadership in the Hobart Mercury formed part of Elexia Communications’ support for the announcement.
KICKSTART TO OUR JOURNEY IN HYDROGEN
By Dr John Whittington, CEO, Blue Economy Co-operative Research Centre
Tasmania enjoys a natural abundance of renewable energy resources.
Our climate and geography give us access to world class hydro, wind and wave energy resources. Green hydrogen could be next.
Over the past century, Tasmania has built a world-leading hydroelectric network and more recently, supplementing this with onshore wind.
Sitting in the Roaring Forties, we are surrounded by some of the world’s best offshore wind and wave energy resources.
Tapping into our oceans can enable us to be a significant renewable energy exporter, but we need ambition and innovation.
Tasmania isn’t just a renewables powerhouse. It has a diverse, world-leading ocean economy.
We have a natural advantage in fisheries and aquaculture, maritime shipping and tourism.
However, the world abounds with places with rich resources that can’t capitalise on them due to poor planning, regulation and government support.
Like natural talent, it counts for little without commitment.
My organisation, the Blue Economy CRC is putting in some of that work.
Today, we are launching our commercial scale hydrogen production and research facility in Lutana near Hobart.
We aim to answer some of the questions around hydrogen and we will simultaneously be the first in Tasmania to produce it at a commercial scale.
The production of green hydrogen requires access to abundant clean energy and in this, we lead the nation.
At the same time, the need for sustainable offshore energy has never been more critical.
Currently, our maritime industries are overwhelmingly powered by fossil fuels. Offshore wind could follow suit but will need a better sustainability story to tell.
That’s why we have built an electrolyser and research microgrid in Lutana near Hobart.
We will be producing more than hydrogen. Our facility will produce answers.
For major players in the maritime sector, we’ll be answering the question, is hydrogen and its derivatives a transportation fuel of the future?
For ocean-based off grid applications specifically, can hydrogen made offshore with wind and other renewables, replace diesel for powering their sites? We’ll find out.
The facility, at BOC Australia in Lutana, will produce commercial-scale hydrogen up to 262kg per day as an alternate to fossils fuels.
It will serve new customers for this clean burning fuel of the future.
Meanwhile, the facility will support ongoing research and development with simulation of real industry applications to support Australia’s blue economy.
From today, our facility kickstarts the Tasmanian hydrogen journey.
