Asia-Pacific clean energy project grows

ABB will deliver automation, electrification and instrumentation solutions for the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) pilot project, one of the world’s first efforts to commercialise technology to liquefy and transport hydrogen. Construction of the small-scale pilot facilities at Australia’s Port of Hastings commenced in 2019, and the pilot phase will operate for approximately one year from 2020.

“ABB is excited to collaborate on this world-first pilot to commercialize technology for liquefying and transporting hydrogen from Australia and deliver clean energy to Japan, while also reducing emissions,” said Peter Terwiesch, president of ABB’s industrial automation business.

Testing production

The project aims to test the production of hydrogen gas through brown coal gasification, liquefaction of hydrogen gas, storage and loading onto the world’s first specialized carrier for transport across the Asia-Pacific.

ABB has been awarded orders in both Australia and Japan, winning an electrification and instrumentation contract in Australia and an automation contract in Japan from Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

In Australia, ABB will supply and integrate electrical equipment including LV switchgear and distribution panels, power quality components, UPS, end-to-end engineering, project management and commissioning services, as well as instrumentation, motor and gearboxes for the new Hydrogen Liquefaction and Loading Terminal at the Port of Hastings in Victoria. At the terminal, hydrogen gas produced by brown coal gasification at the Latrobe Valley will be liquefied and stored.

In Japan, there is a liquid hydrogen receiving terminal at Kobe. ABB Bailey Japan Ltd., which has deep domain expertise in LNG cryogenic terminals, will provide an automation and safety system to support the local operations.

The Australian and Victorian Governments have pledged US$34m each to the US$343m HESC pilot project.

Hydrogen is anticipated to supply up to a fifth of global energy needs and generate a market worth US$2.5 trillion by 2050.