Gladstone is on its way to becoming a renewable hydrogen superpower, with a proposed hydrogen plant project hitting milestones ahead of schedule.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said the Queensland Government was investing more than $1.7 million into the Hydrogen Park Gladstone (HyP Gladstone) project to drive the hydrogen industry forward and create highly skilled jobs in regional Queensland.
“HyP Gladstone will be the first in Australia to blend renewable hydrogen into an entire city gas network for residential, commercial and industrial customers,” Minister de Brenni said.
“I understand the project is off to a great start, with the first major milestone – procurement of the plant’s 175 kilowatt (kW) electrolyser – accomplished several months ahead of schedule.”
“Last month, I inspected the potential site in South Gladstone with representatives of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), who have informed me that they’ve finalised their detailed engineering and design and the project is full steam ahead,” he said.
AGIG Chief Executive Officer, Ben Wilson, said the next steps for the hydrogen plant project includes securing the site, lodging the Development Application, and appointing partners to commence construction this year as part of an accelerated target delivery model.
“We are proud to partner with the Queensland Government on this ground-breaking project,” Mr Wilson said.
“Starting with our gas networks, this $4.2 million project supports Gladstone’s vision to be a key hub for Queensland’s domestic and hydrogen export industry, just as it is for natural gas today.”
The HyP Gladstone facility is proposed to produce renewable hydrogen using water and renewable electricity from the local electricity grid, using a 175kW PEM electrolyser.
The renewable hydrogen will be blended with natural gas, at volumes of up to 10 per cent for supply to more than 770 existing customers on Gladstone’s entire gas network.
To showcase the greater everyday potential of hydrogen, Minister de Brenni and AGIG representatives joined Queensland’s Hydrogen Champions and a host of MPs at a hydrogen-powered BBQ on the Speaker’s Green today.
Central Queensland Hydrogen Champion, Barry O’Rourke, said the BBQ is the first of its kind in Australia.
“Today was all about showcasing that hydrogen can be safely used in our homes in the same way we use our gas appliances today,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“BBQs like this could one day be in every Queenslander’s backyard, but first, we need to establish the renewable hydrogen supply to power them.”
“The Gladstone hydrogen park project certainly helps us chart that course,” he commented.
Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni joining Assistant Minister Lance McCallum and Queensland Hydrogen Champions Barry O’Rourke, Kim Richards and Les Walker at the hydrogen-powered BBQ. Image courtesy of the Queensland Government.
