A proposed green hydrogen project supplying Tasmania’s industry, gas users, public transport and trucking sectors is a step closer.
Developer Countrywide Renewable Hydrogen (CRH) has identified a site and entered an option to lease land for the project.
CRH – a fully owned subsidiary of ASX-listed clean energy accelerator ReNu Energy Limited – is completing the design of its Hydrogen Tasmania Brighton Project, a green hydrogen electrolysis production facility on land adjacent to the Brighton Transport Hub near Hobart.
Expected to be producing hydrogen in early 2024 (subject to final investment decision), CRH is modelling the generation of 1-2MW, or 430-900kg H2/day from the project to meet anticipated demand from natural gas customers, road transport operators and current diesel users.
Initial potential users of hydrogen produced by the project include hydrogen powered trucks and buses, gas customers in and around Hobart, and Brighton industry.
The project will help prove the case for hydrogen-powered transport and make a real contribution to the Tasmanian Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2030, says CRH managing director Geoffrey Drucker.
“CRH shares the Tasmanian Government’s vision for a state powered entirely by renewables,” he says, adding that Tasmania is positioned to lead the way for the world on transforming energy systems as well as producing hydrogen for a wide range of uses.
“CRH is in advanced discussions with Tas Gas to blend hydrogen into Hobart’s network to decarbonise its natural gas and supply hydrogen to industries around Brighton either in a natural gas blend or as 100% hydrogen, a first for Australia,” Drucker says.
CRH is in discussions with Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT) to ensure its domestic hydrogen supply plans support the Government’s vision for Tasmania’s energy transformation, attracting new investment and creating new jobs in the renewable energy economy.
A non-binding arrangement with contractor Bullock Civil Contracting (BCC) that incorporates the development of a renewable energy generation source on the site as part of a bigger picture project – the Brighton Regional Resource Recovery Precinct – has also been agreed by CRH.
Tasmanian engineering consultancy Entura has been engaged by CRH and BCC to undertake a pre-feasibility study on behind-the-meter power generation.
