Trials of hydrogen fuels are underway across Australia, but a project in Tasmania is attempting to create an all-renewable energy supply chain – from green hydrogen production to distribution.
Core items:
- A hydrogen fuel supply chain trial will take place in Tasmania as governments and the private sector look at ways to introduce the zero-emission fuel
- Heavy duty sectors will likely be the first to take up hydrogen with converted trucks in Australia
- Widespread mainstream hydrogen uptake — including by consumer vehicles — may still be a long way off, but regulators are hoping the trials will help speed the process
The state will soon have hydrogen dispensers at several service stations as governments and the private sector join forces to accelerate the rollout of zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty sector.
The Commonwealth provided $6.5 million to LINE Hydrogen, which plans to complete its solar-powered hydrogen production facility in northern Tasmania early next year.
The company has reached an agreement with fuel retailer Bonney Energy to deploy hydrogen fuel pumps at some of its points of sale and directly at freight company locations.
The pumps will be installed on key Tasmanian freight routes including the Midland Highway.
The trial involves the introduction of hydrogen-converted trucks – up to B-Double size – operated by freight companies in Tasmania on lease or through sub-contracting.
Brendan James, CEO of LINE Hydrogen, said “this is new technology” and companies need to feel “comfortable”.
“The truck that we are initially going to market with will be manufactured here in Australia. They are Australian chassis, ADR compliant, being converted to run on hydrogen.
“By far the fastest way for us to really make a difference, to really reduce our CO2 emissions, is to start converting the trucks that are already on the road.”
Tasmania is considered an ideal starting point
The attempt will be small at first, but the rollout of hydrogen vehicles, which emit water vapor and heat, could accelerate rapidly over the coming decade to meet Australia’s net-zero targets.
Bonney Energy chief executive officer David Miller said the rollout of a hydrogen supply chain model has come earlier than expected.
He said broader adoption could take several years, but the trial would show freight companies – as well as commuter bus services and consumers – what hydrogen fueling might look like in the future.
“You can’t just build these things and expect customers to show up. You actually have to work with the end customers, you have to work with distributors to make sure there’s actually a place to send them when they’re building and implementing the product they’re making,” Mr. Miller said.
“First of all, what we expect is that over the next 12 to 18 months there will be a fairly small demographic of users where hydrogen will become part of their fuel source when they swap out their engines or buy vehicles with the capability already installed.
“Over the next two to five years there will be growing adoption by heavy vehicle users as part of the commitment to decarbonize their fleets.”
The trial was eventually extended to the company’s mainland distribution networks, but Tasmania was seen as an ideal starting point due to its abundance of renewable energy.
The hydrogen pumps look similar to a diesel tanker, with a spherical tank at the gas station.
Tests to identify problems
Hydrogen production has long been touted as a key growth industry for Australian exports, with some regional projects relying on gas and others on renewable energy – but domestic vehicle acceptance has yet to develop.
The United States – especially California – and China are among the most advanced in the use of hydrogen for heavy-duty transport.
The Victorian and NSW governments have jointly funded the $20 million Hume Hydrogen Highway grant program for four service stations with about 25 hydrogen-powered trucks, with applications completed last month.
The Commonwealth also has a $15 billion Recovery Fund to support the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles.
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) safety and performance director Peter Austin said hydrogen vehicle technology is still in the development phase in Australia and diesel vehicles are still needed.
“These trials will also help vehicle and infrastructure regulators understand the potential problems and impact that these vehicles will have on our roads,” said Mr. Austin.
“While the NHVR expects new trucks and buses to import early-release models, local manufacturers will seek to build these vehicles locally as the technology matures as they transition their production line to the newer technology.
“The transition to a low- and zero-emission future has already begun and will likely include diesel vehicles for some time to come. The first step in the transition is the transition to cleaner diesel vehicles.”
Trials could also allow light hydrogen vehicles to gain more traction.
Only two hydrogen fuel cell models – a Toyota and a Hyundai – are available for use in Australia by special order only.
Toyota expects to sell them alongside its hybrid options in the mainstream market in Australia later this decade once fueling infrastructure has been expanded.
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