Exploring Clean Energy

Episode Summary:In this episode of Exploring Hydrogen, host Andy Marsland embarks on an enlightening conversation with Joanna Kay, a leading voice in the renewable hydrogen sector. Joanna serves as the Executive General Manager of the Smart Energy Council and leads Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, advocating for hydrogen as a key to the decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.Joanna offers a comprehensive overview of how hydrogen fits into Australia’s renewable energy landscape, from its potential role in industries like transportation and manufacturing to the challenges of scaling production and adoption. The conversation delves into the critical importance of certification programs for ensuring hydrogen production remains truly green, meeting rigorous environmental standards.Together, they explore Australia's place in the global hydrogen conversation, comparing national efforts to those of international leaders like the European Union, the US, and Japan. Joanna also highlights the role of government incentives and global standards in shaping the future of green hydrogen and explains why ensuring harmonised certification is key for building a sustainable hydrogen economy worldwide.Key Topics Discussed:Introduction to the Smart Energy Council and Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia:Joanna explains the work of the Smart Energy Council, which has been active in Australia for decades, representing the renewable energy value chain, including solar, batteries, wind, and hydrogen. Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, established in 2018, focuses on both domestic and international hydrogen applications and derivative products like green ammonia and green metals.Hydrogen Certification and Global Standards:Hydrogen can be produced using various methods, not all of which are green. Joanna highlights the importance of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia’s certification program—the only industry-led initiative in Australia—that ensures green hydrogen projects meet the global standard of less than one kilogram of carbon per kilogram of hydrogen. The discussion also explores how different countries define green hydrogen and the challenges of aligning these definitions to promote global trade and cooperation.Comparing Australia’s Hydrogen Standards to Global Leaders:Joanna and Andy discuss how Australia’s standards stack up against global leaders like the European Union and the United States, which have different carbon intensity thresholds for what they define as green hydrogen. They explore the complexities of developing a unified global standard and the opportunities it presents for Australia as an emerging leader in the green hydrogen space.The Role of Government and Public Funding:Joanna provides insights into how government incentives, such as the production tax credits in Australia, are playing a crucial role in supporting the growth of the hydrogen sector. They also explore recent findings from the International Energy Agency, which suggest that with proper public funding, green hydrogen could become the most cost-competitive hydrogen source by 2030, surpassing alternatives like blue hydrogen.Future Vision for Hydrogen in Australia:Joanna outlines the next steps for Australia’s hydrogen industry, including the expansion of green hydrogen into industrial processes, the potential for international trade, and how certification will play a key role in ensuring transparency and environmental accountability. She also shares examples of successfully certified projects, like Bristol Springs and Yarra International, which demonstrate Australia’s capability to deliver green hydrogen.Notable Quotes:“What we're focused on is making sure hydrogen produced in Australia is genuinely green—meaning zero emissions. Blue hydrogen, which relies on carbon capture, may have its place as a transition fuel, but we’re advocating for true decarbonisation.” – Joanna Kay“By 2030, green hydrogen could outcompete all other forms of hydrogen globally if public funding is directed towards supporting its production.” – Joanna KayEpisode Highlights:Deep Dive into Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia:Joanna details the mission and structure of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, a division of the Smart Energy Council, which has been at the forefront of developing renewable hydrogen initiatives and projects across Australia. With over 200 members involved in hydrogen projects, the organisation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of hydrogen in Australia.The Importance of Certification in Hydrogen Production:Hydrogen certification ensures that green hydrogen projects meet strict carbon emission standards. Joanna explains the technical challenges of maintaining global consistency in certification and why it is essential for promoting international hydrogen trade and reducing the carbon footprint of industrial processes.Global Comparisons of Hydrogen Standards:Joanna and Andy discuss the variations in hydrogen standards across different countries. For example, the US and EU have different carbon limits per kilogram of hydrogen, which impacts how hydrogen is classified as green. They also explore the potential for global harmonisation of these standards to facilitate international hydrogen markets.Australia’s Role as a Hydrogen Leader:Joanna shares exciting details about Australia's growing influence in the hydrogen space, including key projects that have been certified as green hydrogen and the country's potential to become a significant player in the global green hydrogen market. She also talks about the importance of aligning state and national standards to strengthen Australia’s position.The Future of Green Hydrogen:Joanna discusses the potential for green hydrogen to become the leading source of clean energy globally, driven by advancements in technology, government incentives, and growing demand for decarbonisation. With global targets on the horizon, Australia is well-positioned to lead the charge.Resources Mentioned:Smart Energy Council: https://smartenergy.org.au/ Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia: https://smartenergy.org.au/zero-carbon-hydrogen-australia/ IEA Report – the future of Hydrogen: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen Green Hydrogen Catapult Paper on Emissions accounting https://gh2.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/H2-Emissions-Accounting-White-Paper-Sept%202024-compressed.pdfJoanna’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/joanna-kay-057437216ZHCA LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/zero-carbon-hydrogen-australia/ Australia’s 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/publications/australias-national-hydrogen-strategy Joanna’s full bio:Joanna Kay is a highly respected voice in the renewable hydrogen landscape, holding the pos...

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.Laurent Van Helden is Director of sales and market development with Plug Power in Australia.Plug Power is a leading provider of hydrogen electrolyser and fuel cell systems. Founded in 1997, New York, the company focuses on developing and commercialising clean energy solutions The company's fuel cell technology is used by major corporations, including Amazon and Walmart, to power their fleets of electric forklifts and other industrial vehicles.Plug Power's electrolysers are designed to support large-scale hydrogen production for various industries, including transportation, power generation, and industrial applications. The company has made significant investments in expanding its electrolyser manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing global demand for clean hydrogen.Key Discussion Points:● PlugPower's Journey: Laurent shares PlugPower’s transition from producing hydrogen fuel cells for electric forklifts to becoming a key player in hydrogen production through the development of electrolysers. Starting with their acquisition of Giner in 2020, PlugPower has scaled up to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen.● Electrolyser Deployment in Australia:Laurent explains how PlugPower is delivering one-megawatt electrolyser units to Australia. He details the process of adjusting their European-designed systems to comply with Australian standards, including electrical requirements and hazardous area certifications. This required extensive collaboration with Australian engineers and regulatory bodies.● Overcoming Standards and Compliance Challenges:The conversation dives into the differences between European and Australian standards, such as the need to redesign units to meet Australian electrical clearances and hazardous area documentation. PlugPower appointed local experts to ensure compliance with Australian WorkSafe regulations and engaged clients throughout the process.● Future Outlook:Laurent reveals that PlugPower’s first electrolyser units in Australia are nearing completion and are set to begin operations within the next few months. With commissioning underway, PlugPower is on track to power Australia's hydrogen projects.Key Takeaways:● Collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial to overcoming challenges in the hydrogen industry.● Navigating different international standards is a major hurdle in global hydrogen infrastructure development.● PlugPower’s ongoing projects in Australia are a testament to the growth and potential of the hydrogen sector in decarbonising industry and transportation.Links● https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-van-helden/● https://www.plugpower.com/ Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.Russell James is the General Manager of Hydrogen and Future Fuels at ATCO.Russell has over 20 years’ of experience in energy, including the delivery of small to large-scale energy and utility infrastructure projects. Over the last 5 years, he has played a key role in all ATCO's hydrogen related activities, including the Clean Energy Innovation HubATCO is a global infrastructure and energy company with headquarters in Canada, known for its diversified portfolio including utilities, energy, structures and logistics, and transportation. With operations in over 100 countries, ATCO employs around 6200 peopleIn Australia, ATCO operates a range of energy and infrastructure businesses, including transmission pipelines.ATCO’s Journey in the Hydrogen Sector:● ATCO has been involved in hydrogen for over eight years and launched Australia’s first renewable hydrogen facility in Western Australia about four and a half years ago.● The Clean Energy Innovation Hub incorporates solar, batteries, and electrolysis, allowing hydrogen blending into the natural gas network.Challenges in Hydrogen Projects:● Procurement of Equipment: ATCO had to source electrolysers from Europe and the US, navigating long lead times, shipping complexities, and significant upfront payments. This differs from standard procurement in gas and power divisions.● Compliance with Australian Standards: With limited local hydrogen standards, ATCO worked closely with safety regulators to ensure compliance, adapting equipment built to European and US standards.● Setting up Hydrogen Refuelling Stations: ATCO worked with the West Australian Government on the first hydrogen refuelling station, learning valuable lessons that helped streamline future projects.Operational Challenges:● Maintenance and Local Support: ATCO worked closely with local companies to establish maintenance and support capabilities for hydrogen equipment, which helped foster the industry’s growth.● Global Supply Chain Pressures: High demand for hydrogen infrastructure worldwide is causing delays in equipment procurement and project timelines.Success Stories and Adaptations:● ATCO overcame COVID-19 restrictions by using video technology to commission equipment remotely, highlighting the team’s adaptability in challenging situations.Key Takeaways:● Hydrogen project timelines need to account for unexpected challenges, especially with new technology and suppliers.● Building strong relationships with suppliers, contractors, and regulators is critical for project success.● Under-promising and over-delivering is a key strategy for ensuring that projects are completed on time and to the highest safety standards.Linkshttps://www.atco.com/en-au.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-james/Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/

A hotbed of Clean Energy Technologies and Training – Stanwell FEITH ProjectPeter Goggin is the Manager for Hydrogen Development at Stanwell Corporation and has over three decades of experience in the electricity industry. He has worked in various capacities in business development, commercialisation, and project delivery in Australia and the UK. Throughout his career, Peter has developed projects across a wide range of domains, including solar PV, energy efficiency, battery storage, wind power, wave power, bioenergy, and waste-to-energy technologies.1.15 - Intro to Stanwell Stanwell is a Queensland Government-owned corporation. They have about 3. 2 gigawatts of coal-fired power generation and are moving towards the transformation of that generation base to a renewable energy future. Stanwell has about three gigawatts of renewable energy in its pipeline, either contracted or under development. 2.26 - Intro to Peter’s role In his current role at Stanwell, Peter's primary objective is to establish a sustainable domestic business model in renewable hydrogen for Stanwell. His endeavours are centred around leveraging the potential and scale of the Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQH2) Project into the Queensland market. 3.20 - What does FEITH stand for and what is it? Future Energy Innovation and Training Hub● The FEITH will develop the new technologies and workforce skills required to achieve Stanwell’s strategic objectives and the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP).● In its ultimate form, the FEITH is expected to feature: a hub to demonstrate to the community a range of hydrogen applications, their safety, and the benefits to local and regional areas.● Medium-long duration battery storage, transmission and renewable energy integration technologies for the NEM, state-of-the-art workforce skills and technical training for trade, higher education and research, a world-class commercial-scale research and testing.● It will feature a precinct for innovation and technology validation and a servicing and maintenance workshop.● It will increase our understanding of new energy technologies and their application in building Stanwell’s renewable energy portfolio and driving the development of Queensland's hydrogen industry. 06.00 - What is an iron flow battery and what is the potential user case? 07.00 – Hysata’s electrolyser A revolutionary 4-5MW hydrogen electrolyser will also be validated in a pilot project at FEITH. The super-efficient electrolyser is being developed by Australian startup Hysata.10.15 - The scaling challenge in the industry11.36 - How does FEITH support Stanwell and the local community?13.40 - What stage are you at with the project- Have commenced with the common infrastructure- Iron flow battery works will begin in the next few months- Phased development- We have received some funding from the QLD government from the QLD Renewable Energy Hydrogen Jobs Fund- Hoping to be ready for the Hysata pilot unit within the next 12 months16.20 - What are the criteria that organisations go through before Stanwell decides to partner with someone?Starts with us being aligned with the counter party with the objectives. On the technology side, it would be about the technology readiness level.18.30 – Training at FEITH- Future pathways training is being developed- A range of different skills that need to be developed (cross-skilling and upskilling) - Using that modern virtual reality type technology to get training opened up more broadly to users of the facility21.40 - What are the biggest challenges you are facing at the moment- Scaling challenges- This is a brand new industry and there are a lot of new/novel things happening we need everyone’s support22.53 - What does success look like? “Success for me with FEITH would look like a precinct that's supporting that aspiration with some infrastructure already deployed with a vibrant environment there to show our community just what we're doing to take advantage of this great decarbonisation challenge we have on our hands.” 24.15 - Are there any types of technology that you are excited by? 27.00 - Recommendations for Australia and Queensland moving forward to help support the industry 27.45 – Collaboration is key. And the organisations that are working with Stanwell on the CQH2 project 31.25 - Key learnings Be patient, it’s a complex thing and requires the willingness to be resilient. It’s a customer-led approach. https://www.stanwell.com/home-stanwell/https://www.linkedin.com/company/stanwell-corporation-limited/ The Exploring Hydrogen podcast has recently been ranked as number 6 in the top Hydrogen podcasts worldwide. If you enjoyed the content, we invite you to like and subscribe, and help spread the word (https://podcasts.feedspot.com/hydrogen_energy_podcasts/?feedid=5399109)

Guest bios: Denis Thomas is Director of Business Development and Marketing for water electrolysis at Accelera by Cummins, which has acquired the activities of Hydrogenics in 2019.Before joining the company in 2014, Mr. Thomas worked 8 years in the solar photovoltaic sector in Europe. Mr. Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and in Renewable Energy. Michael Bartsch is the Regional Sales and Business Development manager for water electrolysis at Accelera by Cummins. Before joining the company in 2020, Mr Bartsch worked for 26 years in a mixture of Mining, Petroleum, Water Treatment and Geothermal sectors. Mr. Bartsch is an Industrial Chemist with formal qualifications in Science, Business Administration and Energy. Cummins is more than 104 years old, specialising in engines and gensets with 70,000 people worldwide. Accelera is a brand within the company that hosts all the new technologies and has five main businesses and between 2000-3,000 employees 2.30 – The main technologies within Accelera- Electrolysers- Fuel cells- Electrified components- Power train systems- Traction systems 4.00 – Explanation of the different types of electrolysers - Alkaline- PEM- Solid oxide- Anion Exchange Membrane 06.30 - PEM - Proton Exchange Membrane. 08.15 - Solid oxide and Anion Exchange Membrane 09.15 - Concerns about the catalyst being used in PEM technology 10.44 - Sizes of electrolysers that Accelera ManufactureThe products are PEM technology. 30 bar pressure. HyLyzer 500, 1000 and 5000. 13.00 - Interesting and challenging projects across the globe:The Quebec project is commercial, meaning running the electrolyser daily. The hydrogen is liquefied and then delivered by Air Liquide to industrial customers. 15.30 – Emergence of much larger projects across the globeCustomers are now leaning more toward double-digit and triple-digit production. 16.26 - Learnings through the project in Canada 19.17 - Australian market compared to the rest of the worldThe speed to market in the other locations is by far faster at the moment. In Australia, there is a push for regional codes and standards adoption. When products have to be modified before they can be introduced so there's a lag factor there in terms of being able to deploy or modify existing designs for them to be accepted. “We will initially be importing products mainly from Europe, but it'll get to a point where the project size here in Australia is big enough to justify local manufacturing.” 24.15 – Manufacturing of the Electrolysers “We've been working a lot on designing new processes and we are implementing them in the different factories. We have started already in Belgium, which was an existing factory. We have built another in Spain that will start production in the first quarter of next year. We will be using this flow-based manufacturing. It is super interesting because it gives us a lot of flexibility.” 25.00 – Current challenges- The business case of producing hydrogen; in many cases, it is more expensive than the conventional way of producing hydrogen with natural gas. - The size is increasing, and there is an increased link with renewable power which also brings challenges. - Electrolyser technologies are new so companies need to get used to it- Infrastructure challenges - hydrogen storage and pipelines- Execution capability Regulation and policy can be used to play an important role in giving a premium value to hydrogen in comparison to the incumbent technology…Where there is a lack of policy, there is a high uncertainty on those projects, meaning that it is difficult for us to anticipate and forecast the market. 33.13 - Which skillsets will be sought after in the coming years? 35.00 – Advancements in technology- Keep monitoring the developments on the commercial market, from universities and institutions. - Need to reduce the cost of technology and the cost of hydrogen (first step is standardisation). “If you can design a stack that you don't need to replace, it is, I would say, a major advantage. And that's clearly what we are trying to do is to extend the lifetime of our cell stacks.” 38.19 - What can be achieved by Accelera in the next 5-10 years?- We are targeting between 6 to 13 billion dollars in revenue by 2030 40.00 - Final thoughts/comments“We are trying to leverage the synergies of the traditional businesses of Cummins with the new businesses of Accelera, allowing us to advantage of all the people and the infrastructure that we have in place in those 190 countries.” - We need stable policies to allow us to make decisions- Be patient as there will be a lot of challenges but it is super fascinating and motivating to work in this space- The hydrogen sector is like building a plane as we are taking off Links:https://www.accelerazero.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/accelerazero/linkedin.com/in/denis-thomas-cumminslinkedin.com/in/michael-bartsch-48612117

Exploring Hydrogen ep 15 - Shownotes Intro:In this episode we’re geeking out about Hydrogen trains with Troy Shorley, Technical Director and Daniel Koning, Principal Consultant and Subject Matter Expert from Deutsche Bahn. Deutsche Bahn currently has the largest fleet of hydrogen trains in the world, so in this episode, we enjoyed welcoming two of their experts on low and zero-emission technologies to take a deeper dive. DB Engineering and Consulting is working in 84 nations worldwide, providing railway engineering, and railway consulting operations services. Deutsche Bahn Engineering and Consulting is part of the Deutsche Bahn Group in Germany, the owner and operator of the Rail Network in Germany. Deutsche Bahn Group employs 320,000 people worldwide and DB Engineering & Consulting employs over 5,000 people. Bios: Troy is an Electrical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in electricity, transmission rail and engineering consultancy.He has extensive experience in rail traction systems, low and zero-emission technologies, and examining the different technologies and their interdependence within rail traction systems. He is an expert in system design, earthing, and bonding system integration, as well as construction and commissioning supervision. Daniel is a subject matter expert for railway systems and low and zero-emission technologies. He has 21 years of experience in the railway sector and over 10 years focused on innovative railway technologies and digitization. He has worked on major Australian and international projects across Europe, the USA, and Latin America as the Lead Subject Matter Expert, at Zero Emission Technologies. 03.10 - What is the opportunity/use-case for Hydrogen Trains? Introducing hydrogen technology to trains would significantly contribute to decarbonising the transport sector. Hydrogen can bridge non-electrified gaps in our network where battery systems will be insufficient and where overhead continuing electrification can't be justified because the line frequency is not high enough. 05.00 – What percentage of the railway network in Germany is electric? And the decarbonisation opportunity for high-speed trains displacing short-haul flights Currently, 65% of the network is electric and achieving 100% is not viable due to some of the lines being rural and certain areas that are not populated so the cost of electrification is too high. Another opportunity is the decarbonisation of Australia, and one of the strategies Germany uses to reduce the overall decarbonization of transport is to replace short-haul flights with high-speed rail intercity express services. 7:00- Other options available (eg Battery /Biofuels/synfuels etc) to decarbonise the sector The best option for highly frequented railway corridors is full electrification since the overall system efficiency is roughly 85 to 90% and you can't beat that. When you can't justify full electrification for shorter routes currently up to a hundred kilometres that are non-electrified, then battery electric traction is a good alternative. You can recover braking energy and also have a higher system efficiency when the stretches are getting a little bit longer. Battery technology currently can't cope with that and also when the power demand is a little bit bigger, especially for freight transport. Hydrogen is a very interesting alternative, the fuel system can provide the range and combined with a battery system it can cope with a high power demand. And as an intermediate solution, we can look at renewable carbon-based fuels. They're also a way to quickly decarbonize railway traffic, and they are potentially a drop-in solution for existing diesel fleets. 9:10 - FFI is looking at ammonia for their train line supporting one of their mines in WA. Hydrogen is interesting, but the range you can achieve is limited due to the volumetric energy, density, and ammonia is a very interesting hydrogen carrier. So by using ammonia, you can store more hydrogen than in the compressed form. FFI and Deutsche Bahn are currently testing a retrofitted diesel engine on a test lap in Germany. We mix hydrogen and ammonia to a combustive gas, inject it into the engine and try to optimize the combustion process. 10:35 - Some of the differences in how Hydrogen Trains are operated and maintained The hydrogen fuel cell trains effectively have an electric drive system, so they're very similar to the existing electric locomotives so they're very low maintenance schedule and cost for the electric drive system. The difference comes in with the energy system. The need for battery replacements and hydrogen fuel that are replacements. 12.- Safety and Standards around the maintenance of hydrogen vehicles There is work to be done with aligning the standards to achieve the safety required so there's no detriment to the current railway systems. It is the same transition as centuries ago coming from coal as the main source of a rail vehicle then transiting to diesel. Everything thought diesel, this combustible liquid, is very dangerous and new procedures had to be developed. So now it's transiting from diesel that people are very unfamiliar with. 14.48 - Where Germany is up to and what's the plan from here A few smaller fleets have been tested in commercial operation. The first commercial operation with a larger fleet just started in December. The trains are operated by DB and there are another few public tender processes in place currently to procure additional fleets for different rural networks. The main reason for that is that the German government is really pushing hard for the decarbonization of the transport sector so there's a net zero target of 2040 for DB. 27 units currently being put into commercial operation near Frankfurt. 17.45 - Other projects DB are working on around the world Australia - DB is providing an introductory level of support by providing up-to-date information to organizations looking to implement the technologies so we can either guide or validate some of the strategy technology decisions that they are considering. The follow-on steps for that is also, to understand the Australian standards and how they view the introduction of hydrogen technologies into the rail environment.Brazil - Another solution done from Australia has been a feasibility study for Vale in Brazil. So looking at their Iron Ore operations are the route of 900 kilometres. Initially, they were looking for an electrification solution, so DB put together a combined battery and overhead electrification solution. They are now looking at Hydrogen options such as ammonia.United States - Support the team here from Australia to look at options for the Californian network to deploy hydrogen trains for their passenger services.Germany - A project Ecosystem that is currently ongoing, is a collaboration together with Siemens Group to develop a hydrogen ecosystem consisting of a novel...

Right time, the right technology, the right scaleThis episode uncovers Frontier Energy's flagship project from advancements to challenges, offtake, community engagement and more. Tune in to find out for yourself how hydrogen can contribute to the decarbonisation of Australia and the world. 0.30 - Intro to Guest: Sam Lee Mohan, MD & CEO of Frontier EnergySam has 20 years of experience in the energy and utilities industry, including design, construction, strategic asset management, regulation, policy, commercial and innovation. Previous appointments included Global Head of Hydrogen for Xodus Group and Senior Manager for Innovation at ATCO. 1.30 - Intro to Frontier EnergyFrontier Energy is an ASX-listed, renewable energy company, based in WA. Its flagship project is developing a 114MW solar farm, tied to a 36MW (electrolyser) hydrogen production plant at Bristol Springs. Stage one will produce 4.4Mkg of hydrogen p.a., growing to 73Mkg p.a. It will also roll out a re-fuelling station in “the Perth CBD.” Construction begins at the end of this year. 2.48 - Update on the stage of the projectThe project is currently at an advanced stage. The location is one of the fundamental aspects as it is located 120 km south of Perth. It is connected to water and power infrastructure. 5km from major transport routes. The main focus at present is securing offtake. Commissioning is projected for the first half of 2025 and hydrogen production in the latter part of 2025. 4.05 - Deeper dive into the project:Daytime power comes from the solar plant. Off-peak power from the grid, so utilisation is around 75% to achieve the best price/supply combination. The challenge is to develop the right production at the right scale at the right time. In time the 114MW could be scaled up to just over 1GW. Challenge is deploying the right technology, at the right time, at the right scale. 6.19 - Having access to world-class infrastructure is fundamental to kick-starting this industry and having foundation projects the industry can anchor on. 6.45 - Resources:Solar is the cheapest form of energy production at present. Excess Photovoltaic electricity can be sold into the grid, and then drawn back during off-peak periods. LGC (large generation certificates) credits gained from green energy production are retired against the purchase of electricity from the grid, of unknown (green/brown) origin and this creates a net zero footprint. The end result is that low-cost electricity is supplied to the WA grid. We are using the grid as a virtual battery. 9.34 - Access to clean water:The plant is located within a kilometre of the Stirling Trunk Main pipeline, this is one of the most strategic assets across Western Australia. The water is sourced from the Southern Seawater desalination plant and the Southern dam, ensuring a reliable, low-cost supply; this allows a huge saving in desalination and bore (drilling) costs. Future supply has also been secured for the stage one requirements, 750k/l per day actually being four times the need, to 1,250k/l per day for stage 2. So projected growth is catered for and the demands from yet unknown tertiary growth are also covered. 11.30 - Gas:The Dampier - Bunbury pipeline currently transfers offshore natural gas in North Western WA down to the demand areas of Perth & surrounds. It also supplies the huge power needs (with resultant emissions) of the Alcoa smelting plant, downstream from Bristol Springs. The pipeline already has the technical capacity to take in hydrogen from the Frontier Energy plant, without any disruption to its own supply or customers. Statutory changes that will legalise the process are already in advanced stages. "The political environment is set in order to enable Hydrogen to be projected into the pipeline both from a legal perspective as well a technical perspective." 13.25 - Workforce:The town of Collie (population 8k) is 57 kilometres from the plant. The power station is due to close there and Frontier Energy will be able to offer workers construction jobs (initially) and ongoing jobs at its plant. Other towns are similar distances away and Perth is only a 70-minute drive. Manufacturing hydrogen commercially is difficult because one has to match supply and demand throughout. It’s essential to assist and work with early adopters and the government to ensure that the recipients are not penalised for making staged switches to Hydrogen consumption. 17.10 - Costs:Other green hydrogen producers are quoting potential production costs of over $6 per kilo of hydrogen, compared to Frontier’s of around $2.80 per kg. Income from the exported (to the grid) electricity is used to offset some of the operating costs through the reserved capacity markets. Low-cost electricity supplies the hydrogen plant. This allows a daytime energy input cost that is actually negative. (-$15 a MWh). Night-time electricity drawdowns cost around $50 - $60 per MWh. The net cost of power for the electrolyser is around $35 per MWh. The solar plant cost $166m and the hydrogen plant $72m. After the CAPEX is paid off, the hydrogen production cost falls to $1.50 per kilo, a rate that is similar to the natural gas equivalent. With scaling up to 1GW, the operating costs fall further to around $1.30/.20 per kilo. This is fundamental as reduced costs for early users will accelerate uptake and broaden the demand base. 27.02 - Community engagement:Positive feedback as they see possibilities for high-paid, skilled jobs in the community, encouraging retention of youth etc. The project has “State Significant” status with the WA government, with fortnightly meetings. 300 jobs at the construction stage, and 50 in operations. Construction is likely to be ongoing with Stage 2, etc. for the next 5 - 10 years. The hydrogen side is likely to require workers transitioning from electrical etc to the less familiar, new technology, with regulatory, compliance approvals, and engineering challenges. The hydrogen economy is a race, and we are competing with incentivised and supported industries in countries, such as the US and UK. We are well supported by our governments, but project-by-project assistance will be required, or our most skilled people may be tempted abroad. 25.50 - Other learnings to date:Investors are interested, but they need to understand the appropriate risks and incentives. A conducive political environment, and favourable emissions targets from the government making access easily available to new gas and electricity infrastructure, at the time of construction, will make it easier and cheaper for other potential hydrogen producers and this is to be encouraged. A proposed government incentive is being progressed that will require 80% of its 2050 emissions targets to be achieved by 2030. This will incentivise early-stage hydrogen developments. 29.40 - Challenges:"How advanced are you in the maturity of the hydrogen industry?"Hydrogen suppliers need to marry up their supply with nasce...