Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster Forum 2021

Further to an introduction from the SuniTAFE Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dea, Project Lead-Hort Innovation/Technology for the SMART Farm, Nicole Byrnes, presented on behalf of the team. Discussion on the day broadly covered emerging training, STEM and SMART Farm opportunities in regard to hydrogen.

Members of the SuniTAFE team attending included SuniTAFE Board member and Horticulture Industry Advisory (HIAG) Group member Greg Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dea, General Manager of Operations David Harris, Manager – Strategy (Business Development & Strategy) Greg Leslie, Manager Commercial Business Development Ross Humphreys, Manager – Primary Industries (Primary Industries & Smart Farm) Warren Lloyd, Project Lead Hort Innovation/Technology (Smart Farm) Nicole Byrnes, Owner Minters Magic and SuniTAFE HIAG member Darren Minter.

SuniTAFE SMART Farm

The SuniTAFE Smart Farm is a 24-hectare site is divided into two functional areas – an economic block comprising best practice dried fruit, wine grapes and citrus, and a demonstration site for individual trials on new and emerging crops.

SuniTAFE is uniquely placed to activate the SMART Farm, which research has shown will be the only SMART Farm facility in Australia focused on production horticulture and river irrigation.

Download: SuniTAFE presentation for hydrogen forum [PDF]

Download: 2021 Smart Farm prospectus [PDF]

SuniTAFE

The Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster Forum focused on the Mildura and Swan Hill Local Government Areas (LGA). Information about the Mallee provided to the visiting virtual delegation here includes maps of both the regions, Mallee Economic Growth Strategy, solar farm information and skills reporting.

The region is headquarters, or has links, to the following national industry peak bodies and associations:

• Almond Board of Australia
• Australian Table Grape Association
• Citrus Australia
• Dried Fruits Australia
• Murray Valley Winegrowers Association
• Summerfruit Australia

The region is home to two organisations that use biomass to power their sites.

Australian Tartaric Products

Biomass (grape marc) is used in a biomass boiler process.

Select Harvest

Select Harvest has a biomass power station that uses almond husk biomass waste for generation.

Download: Select Harvest Case study, H2E Co-Generation Power Station [PDF]

Session presentations

Download: Mildura region map [PDF]

Download: Swan Hill region map [PDF]

Download: Mallee Economic Growth Strategy (version 4) [PDF]

Download: Mallee Regional Skills Demand Profile [PDF]

Download: Mallee Regional Skills Pulse Check 2020 [PDF]

Mallee Region Large Scale Solar Power projects

Nineteen large-scale solar projects, valued over $2.8 billion, have either received planning permission, are under construction or are operational in the four municipalities across the Mallee. These projects have a combined energy capacity of 2380 MW (Figure 3-11), which exceeds the capacity of Victoria’s largest coal fired station Loy Yang A.

Planning departments within the four Mallee LGAs are aware of a further thirteen prospective solar farm developments, which have a regional energy capacity of 2,950 MW. Combined, they have a total potential energy capacity of 5,280 MW.

The region is also seeing investment in battery storage and this is expected to accelerate. Battery storage has the capacity of providing solar electricity at times of peak demand.

This session was attended by the Mildura Rural City Council Deputy Mayor Helen Healy, Councillor Glenn Milne, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Bonnie Pettett and Energy & Water Innovation Officer Jay Smith.

Discussion on the day centered around the hydrogen industry opportunities, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.

Download: Mildura Rural City Council Towards Zero Emissions Strategy 2021–2050 [PDF]

Mildura included in Neighbourhood Battery Initiative

Mildura Regional Development

Chief Executive Officer of Mildura Regional Development (MRD) Brett Millington presented a Mildura regional overview to the visiting delegation. Joining Brett for this presentation was MRD Economic Development Officer Sharon Morrell.

Download: Mildura Regional Development presentation: Hydrogen Cluster Virtual Visit [PDF]

Victorian Central Greenhouse Alliance

The Victorian Central Greenhouse Alliance are a network of 13 local governments working together across Central and Northern Victoria. Their vision is that their region is home to empowered, thriving and sustainable communities leading the way in addressing climate change. Their mission is – local governments working together to drive action on climate change across central and northwest Victoria. They develop and implement innovative regional projects, undertake advocacy on climate and energy policy, share knowledge and promote best practice.

Mayor Bill Moar gave a presentation on the Swan Hill region to the visiting delegation. Discussion on the day centered around the hydrogen industry opportunities, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.

This session was attended by Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Bill Moar; Councillor Stuart King; Councillor Ann Young; Chief Executive Officer, John McLinden; Director of Development and Planning, Heather Green; and Environment and Sustainability Officer, Nicholas Mudge.

Mash: Mallee sun – solar bulk buy

Council backs new solar bulk buy

Swan Hill solar bulk buy

Download: Swan Hill Economic Development presentation [PDF]

Download: Irrigated crops in the Swan Hill Local Government Area 1997 to 2018[PDF]

Download: Swan Hill residents guide [PDF]

Throughout the 2-day forum, NERA National Cluster Development Manager Leigh Kennedy and Victorian Hydrogen Cluster Network Lead Richard Reilly presented on the NERA, the NERA cluster network and other NERA hydrogen initiatives.

NERA is an independent not-for-profit company funded through Federal Government grants and collaborative programs by state/territory governments, industry and the science and research community, uniquely positioned to support sector-wide transformation and unlock +$10 billion of new value for the Australian economy.

NERA is an industry broker and the source of insight into challenges, solutions, skills and regulation that will ensure Australia maximises its huge energy resources advantage and becomes a global energy powerhouse.

Suggested material to review includes:

Download: Australian hydrogen market study – Sector analysis summary – 24 May 2021 [PDF]

Download: NERA H2CTA Mallee Virtual meetings [PDF]

GenerateER Open Innovation Challenge Program

HyCapability

HyCapability is the latest development in the hydrogen sector from NERA and the Hydrogen Technology Cluster Australia (H2TCA), and has been created with the assistance of EconomX, the economic development and Supply Chain Management (SCM) platform which maps and promotes regional hydrogen ecosystems and supply chain capability.

NERA launches HyCapability — connecting Australia’s hydrogen industry to a global market

Biomass gasification is a mature technology pathway that uses a controlled process involving heat, steam, and oxygen to convert biomass to hydrogen and other products, without combustion.

Throughout the 2-days biomass was a topic of discussion. This included discussion about the value add (additional product) of biomass as related to hydrogen, the economics of hydrogen (conversion of business), biomass bioenergy assessments and opportunities for hydrogen industry information sessions.

The Almond Board of Australia, Market Development Manager Joseph Ebbage and Industry Development Manager Deidre Jaensch met with the delegation and Joseph presented on the Almond industry. Discussion followed on the almond industry and biomass.

For further information on biomass and hydrogen, see:

• Hydrogen Production: Biomass Gasification
• Waste Biomass to renewable hydrogen

• ReCarbon develops Bundaberg Biohydrogen Technology Cluster with Utilitas

  Leading Australian biogas developer Utilitas and ReCarbon has established the Bundaberg Biohydrogen Technology Cluster (BHTC) at Utilitas’ multi-faceted Bundaberg bioHub facility. Utilising biogas derived from the anaerobic digestion of biomass from community and agribusiness sources, ReCarbon’s Plasma Carbon Conversion Unit will produce fuel cell grade hydrogen cost-effectively.

Download: Almond Board of Australia presentation [PDF]

Download: A scalable and spatiotemporally resolved agricultural life cycle assessment of California almonds, Elias Marvinney, Alissa Kendall [PDF]

Download: Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment (ABBA) Loddon Mallee Factsheet 2017 [PDF]

Cienna Turpie’s presentation at the various sessions throughout the event highlighted DELWP’s current grant program, the Victorian Hydrogen Industry Development Plan, the Victorian Hydrogen Clusters and other relevant industry information.

Staff from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Energy Team that virtually visited the Mallee region for the 2-day forum. Attendees throughout the event included Director Industry Engagement and Development Gabrielle Henry, Senior Manager, Emerging Technologies David Oglesby, Manager Emerging Technologies Marika Wanklyn, Principal Project Officer, Emerging Technologies Cienna Turpie, Senior Project Officer Emerging Technologies Gemma Hammond, Senior Project Officer Emerging Technologies Nicholas Barda, Project Officer Emerging Technologies Siobhan Bradley, Project Officer Emerging Technologies Kathleen Tonini and Project Officer Emerging Technologies Jack MacCauley.

The Victorian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan

Download: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning presentation [PDF]

Investment Fast-Track Fund, Regional Development Victoria

Ben Chatfield, Chief Financial Officer for GTS Freight Management gave a mobility presentation, using GTS as a case study. The presentation focused on industry challenges when investigating a transition to hydrogen vehicles.

The presentation prompted much discussion about the questions required to be answered for those with heavy duty vehicle fleets that would need to be answered when considering a shift to hydrogen. What clearly emerged from this session was the potential of a national transport project.

Discussions on supply chain, zero emissions and how this also link to the NERA clusters were discussed.

Useful examples of organisations to review

Stakeholders in the supply chain that have zero emissions and sustainability platforms:

• Coles Together to zero emissions
• Woolworths Sustainability

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s role and involvement in energy was discussed. ARENA’s purpose is to support the global transition to net zero emissions by accelerating the pace of pre-commercial innovation, to the benefit of Australian consumers, businesses and workers.

Mobility

Energys

Hydi

Hyzon

Session presentation and further information

Download: GTS Freight Management presentation [PDF] (Password protected)

GTS Freight Management

Freight group in for the long haul, Sunraysia Daily, 1 August 2020

Tas Gas Chief Executive Officer Phaedra Deckart presentation explained the Tas Gas network, the company’s mother/daughter system and opportunities for projects. Discussion on the day centered around the Swan Hill region and the Leeds project in the United Kingdom.

In addition to the CEO Phaedra Deckart attending, other members of the Tas Gas team included General Manager Commercial and Business Development Will Temple-Smith and the Managing Director of Spring Street Advisory Ken McAlpine.

Download: Gas Networks Victoria: Virtual pipeline [PDF] (Password protected)

H21 – pioneering a UK hydrogen network

Led by Northern Gas Networks

This website details the H21 project that is looking a 100% hydrogen network. The website contains clips, reports and other information about the work under way in the United Kingdom.

Since the Leeds City Gate report proved that a hydrogen gas conversion was technically possible and economically viable, the scope of H21 has expanded to include multiple projects which tackle the many different challenges of a hydrogen gas conversion.

Phase one of the work is now complete and phase two is underway. Current projects include testing hydrogen on a purpose built micro-grid, which represents a typical UK distribution network at Spadeadam. The microgrid, which is believed to be a world-first will be used to review, test and make recommendations to amend the operational and maintenance procedures required to operate a network on 100% hydrogen.

The project team will also shortly trial 100% hydrogen trials on a section of the gas network in the South Bank area of Middlesbrough which will be disconnected from the existing gas network for the trial period. Several months of rigorous testing of gas operations and maintenance activities will take place, practicing what gas networks do every day but in a hydrogen world.

Plans are now being developed for H21 Phase 3, a small-scale trial. This would initially involve supplying 100% hydrogen to around 50 homes on a public gas network but could eventually be widened out to include several hundred homes. This will see the research undertaken by the H21 team put into practice in a real life situation proving, that conversion of existing gas networks to hydrogen can be achieved safely and with minimal disruption to customers.

H21 North of England: How hydrogen can help the UK reach its net 0 emissions goal

Reaching net-zero targets is a big challenge that requires big and realistic solutions. H21 North of England is such a solution that presents a detailed engineering program for converting the gas network across the North of England to hydrogen, based on credible, proven at scale technology and a strong supply chain. If realised this will be the largest decarbonisation project in the world.

Northern Gas Networks H21 Leeds City Gate Film

Ambitious plans to convert significant parts of the UK gas grid to be 100% hydrogen were launched by a project team lead by Northern Gas Networks.

Over the 2-day forum, Gordon Chakaodza, Dr Sally McArthur and Fiona Knowles presented information about the Victorian Hydrogen Hub and the hubs plans in to engage with clusters, industry and government.

Led by Swinburne University of Technology, working in partnership with CSIRO and Germany’s ARENA 2036, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub will bring together researchers, industry partners and business. Testing, trialling and demonstrating new and emerging hydrogen technologies, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub will support sustainable manufacturing practices and the ability to store clean energy from renewable sources, striving to create a sustainable future for all.

Members of the Victorian Hydrogen Hub team that virtually visited the Mallee region for the 2-day forum included Director Strategic Programs Dr Victor Pantano, Director Manufacturing Futures Research Institute Dr Sally McArthur, Director Victorian Hydrogen Hub Gordon Chakaodza, Head of Learning Design and Innovation Fiona Knowles, Researcher, Learning Design and Innovation Milorad Cerovac, Manager Strategic Programs Eve Martin, Director Design Factory Melbourne Professor Anita Kocsis, Coach and Lecturer, Design Factory Melbourne Pauliina Mattila, Business Partner Victoria Hydrogen Hub Jon Callander and Community Facilitator Design Factory Melbourne Amelia Iverson.

Download: Victorian Hydrogen Hub & Skills Roadmap June 2021 [PDF]

GHD representatives Dean Joannides (a GHD Principal), Manager Plant and Process – Victoria, Project Director and Rory Quinn Technical Director Plant and Process were a part of the visiting delegation to the Mallee region.

Water for green hydrogen

In follow up to a discussion that referenced water, GHD have shared the following article: Water for Green Hydrogen, 22 July 2021 (LinkedIn article)

Michael Pope, Technical Director for Green Hydrogen, GHD Service Line Leader – Hydrogen & Hydrocarbons at GHD prepared this article that highlights some of the ratios for green hydrogen production from water.