Creating hydrogen opportunities in the Mallee
Hydrogen innovation and technology development and ways to boost awareness of hydrogen opportunities were discussed at a recent virtual visit to the Mallee region.
Hosted by the Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster steering committee, the two-day event showcased the region as an optimal place for hydrogen project development.
Mallee Regional Innovation Centre is the lead for the Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster, one of the 15 NERA (National Energy Resources Australia) hydrogen clusters.
The event brought together representatives from the Victorian Hydrogen Hub, Energy Resources Australia, Victorian Department of Environment, Victorian Department of Land, Water and Planning, and consulting company GHD.
They met with Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Mildura Regional Development, GTS Freight Management, Almond Board of Australia, SuniTAFE, Tas Gas, federal Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster, and Member for Murray Plains and Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh.
MRIC chief executive and Mallee Hydrogen Cluster lead Rebecca Wells said she expected the forum to have lasting impacts.
“The format enabled participants to have frank discussions, and from these many next steps have emerged,” Rebecca said.
“These outcomes will not only benefit individual organisations, but also industries and communities with an interest in hydrogen so they can better understand how it might align with or complement their interests and activities.”
Rebecca said the forum identified sectors that might have an interest in hydrogen as well as ways to develop and engage the hydrogen supply chain, particularly areas such as transport, agriculture, gas, food processing, manufacturing, biomass, and education and training.
We can do this by creating opportunities for existing and alternative industries to transition to hydrogen, reduce emissions and also boost economic opportunities for the Mallee region.
Other outcomes include several planned workshops, future meetings, sharing of information, facilitating the introduction of hydrogen connections, and identifying regional interest in hydrogen and project opportunities.
NERA’s national cluster development manager Leigh Kennedy said the presentation by GTS on its hydrogen mobility strategy and the issues it needs to address was so articulated that it created clear opportunities to engage with other parties to create workable solutions.
“What clearly emerged from discussions over the two days was the outline of a multi-state hydrogen mobility project, and NERA is very keen to contribute and bring companies from across Australia to the Mallee to ensure this moves forward,” Leigh said.