Talking hydrogen
The first assembly of Victoria’s hydrogen cluster network today presented a unique opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities facing industry, investors and users as they drive a national hydrogen economy
Organisers of the Victorian Hydrogen Cluster Network Forum – National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) along with the state’s four hydrogen clusters – brought together key industry voices to speak on the latest in hydrogen and mobility, offtake, and finances and funding.
Hydrogen and mobility panel members Craig Ehrke, Rebecca Wells, Owen Quake and David Gormley-O'Brien.
The 100 attendees, who included cluster members and interested stakeholders, also had a chance to network and discuss potential future projects.
The panel discussion on hydrogen and mobility was led by the Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster, which has done a lot of work in this area.
Mallee Regional Innovation Centre CEO Rebecca Wells moderated the panel, which was made up of Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance programs director Dr David Gormley-O'Brien, Skai Energies director Craig Ehrke, and BP global head of health, safety, environment and carbon Owen Quake.
Craig, who has recently been oversees looking at hydrogen trucks and infrastructure, discussed some of the broader challenges that need to be addressed to ensure progress in Australia. He also highlighted the difference between the new energy industries.
Owen talked about what BP is doing to prepare for hydrogen mobility as well as the importance of hydrogen safety and how to manage risk particularly with early projects.
David, who has previously engaged with the Mallee cluster as part of the Hydrogen Readiness Program, spoke about regional councils’ interest in emerging hydrogen technologies and the role they play in supporting industry and educating communities.
“Councils are seeking to reduce their emissions from garbage trucks and road maintenance vehicles, and hydrogen looks to be a good fit in operations like these,” he said.
“The prospect of producing hydrogen locally is also attractive. North-west Victoria can make use of its year-round sunshine and solar farms for the production of green hydrogen and build a local industry and employment opportunities.
“Also, places like Mildura and Swan Hill are hubs for interstate freight, but they are far from the Hume Hydrogen Highway so they will need the production and storage infrastructure to make hydrogen-fuelled freight a possibility.
Something else we need to take into account is funding support for equipment and pilot programs to get the industry started. Technology will keep advancing rapidly, so early adopters will find themselves with technology that is outdated even though they have done the hard yards for industry and others to learn from.
Mallee hydrogen cluster member and GTS chief financial officer Ben Chatfield also offered some insight into the practical challenges of moving the industry forward.
“The freight industry, including GTS, is exploring new technologies, driven in part by customers who are looking to reduce emissions and change the way they run their businesses,” he said.
“The last couple of years have been really challenging for the industry, with Covid and its effect on the supply chain, and that has delayed the industry and impacted our ability to move forward. It has been difficult just ordering trucks, let alone a hydrogen truck.
“Now is the time we’re going to start to see the rubber hit the road, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The trucks themselves will need to be adapted for our conditions, and we don’t know exactly how they will perform – does the engine operate the same, what is the engine torque, do the tyres last the same amount of time? We also need to understand the cost of operating and maintaining these trucks, and our drivers are going to need to be educated on this new technology.
Looking at the bigger picture, Mildura needs to be recognised as a significant player on the national freight corridor – the Hume Hydrogen Highway is only part of the network. Trucking routes can go through multiple locations with different restrictions, so council areas and the states will need to come together when we do come to testing and trials.