The Western Australian Government has today announced that it will invest $1.68 million to support feasibility studies across seven proposed renewable hydrogen projects for Western Australia to support further development of the industry.
The studies, funded through the State 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 seven studies align with the strategy’s four Strategic Focus Areas of export, remote applications, blending in natural gas networks and transport.
Regional Development Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, said Western Australia needs to explore how it can produce, use and provide energy to international partners through clean and reliable sources, and renewable energy via hydrogen provides a means to do this.
“These feasibility studies will facilitate significant private sector investment and leverage financial support for a job-creating renewable hydrogen industry in WA,” she said.
“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,” the Minister added.
Below is a list of the successful feasibility study applications:
Applicant: ATCO Australia Pty Ltd
Feasibility Study: Clean Energy Innovation Park
Feasibility study for a 10 MW electrolysis hydrogen production plant.
Strategic Focus Area: Transport and blending in the gas network
Grant amount: $375,225
Applicant: City of Cockburn
Feasibility Study: Green Hydrogen for City of Cockburn
Feasibility study for solar hydrogen production for waste collection and light vehicle fleets. The study also examines cogeneration opportunities for electricity and heat production.
Strategic Focus Area: Transport
Grant amount: $149,412
Applicant: DBNGP (WA) Nominees Pty Ltd
Feasibility Study: 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 the development of regulations for hydrogen blended gas in WA.
Strategic Focus Area: Blending in the gas network
Grant amount: $216,000
Applicant: Energy Developments Limited
Feasibility Study: Hyer Penetration – EDL Hydrogen Enabled Hybrid Renewables
Feasibility study for the integration of renewable hydrogen production with isolated power stations.
Strategic Focus Area: Remote applications
Grant amount: $242,500
Applicant: Hazer Group Limited
Feasibility Study: Renewable Hydrogen Transport Hub in the City of Mandurah
Feasibility study for a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure hub and associated transport applications.
Strategic Focus Area: Transport
Grant amount: $250,000
Applicant: Murdoch University
Feasibility Study: Hybrid PV-Battery-Hydrogen System for Microgrids
Feasibility study for 100 per cent renewable energy standalone power system for an indigenous community in the Pilbara. The study includes the development of a new modelling tool to optimise design.
Strategic Focus Area: Remote application
Grant amount: $75,000
Applicant: Pacific Hydro Australia Developments Pty Ltd
Feasibility Study: Ord Hydrogen
Feasibility study for hydrogen production facility near Kununurra utilising existing hydro generation.
Strategic Focus Area: Export, Transport and Remote applications
Grant amount: $370,000
