Australia invests in hydrogen

Origin Energy’s export-scale liquid hydrogen project has reached an important milestone, with the signing of an MoU with the Port of Townsville in Queensland to collaborate on the potential expansion of the port, as well as the development of a liquefaction facility, new berth and associated infrastructure.

Origin is collaborating with Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (KHI) on a 300MW early export project that would produce 36,500t per annum of green liquid hydrogen using renewable energy and sustainable water.

Origin general manager future fuels, Felicity Underhill, said: “Townsville is ideally placed to develop a liquid hydrogen facility due to its deep-water port, industrial-zoned land, availability of skilled workers and nearby renewable energy and sustainable water resources.

“Townsville has the potential to become a leading global hub for hydrogen exports, boosting local jobs, as well as supporting local industry and transport to decarbonise.”

Collaboration and coordination

The three parties will now focus on work required to accommodate KHI’s semi-commercial scale liquid hydrogen carriers, currently under development, future project expansion opportunities, and potential for sharing of common infrastructure with other Port of Townsville users.

Ms Underhill added: “There will be significant export demand for green hydrogen coming from Asia in the 2030s and even sooner from Japan in the mid-2020s and our proximity to these markets and abundance of clean renewable resources puts Australia in pole position to be a global leader in hydrogen.

“This is one of the most advanced commercial scale green liquid hydrogen projects in the world, and we and our partners are looking forward to commencing front end engineering and design (FEED) this calendar year.

The first export from the project is targeted from the mid-2020s.

In February, it was announced that a large-scale hydrogen production facility will be built and developed at Port Anthony.