In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy is joined by Michael van Baarle, Executive Chairman & Co-founder of ABEL Energy. Together they unpack green methanol’s role in decarbonising heavy transport, covering the Bell Bay project, sustainable carbon sourcing, hydrogen, electrolyser choices, shipping demand and bunkering, project scale-up, and the policy and investment steps on the road to 2029/30.
Episode topics & timestamps
00:00 - Welcome: Why methanol belongs in the clean-fuels toolkit; episode overview.
02:10 - Methanol 101: CH₃OH, its uses, and why being a liquid matters for storage, handling, and retrofits.
06:05 - Shipping’s 3% problem: Clean combustion benefits, particularly near ports; the path from emissions control zones to green fuels.
10:00 - Carbon sources at scale: Biomass today, atmospheric CO₂ tomorrow—and the sustainability guardrails.
14:25 - Bell Bay “stack” of advantages: Green grid, plantation residues, deep-water berth, workforce, and power connection.
18:40 - Project scale: Why ABEL Energy sized Bell Bay to ~360,000 tpa—and how scale drives cost down.
23:15 - Global demand signals: New methanol-capable ships, bunkering hubs like Singapore, and meeting EU maritime rules.
28:05 - Technology choices: Bankability of tech, electrolyser selection, gasification.
33:20 - Water & utilities: Cooling vs. electrolysis demand; options for sourcing and treatment on site.
36:10 - Townsville pathway: “Reverse battery” flexibility, partnering with renewables, and behind-the-meter models.
41:00 - Policy & economics: Hydrogen production incentives, timelines to FID/operations, and why timing matters.
46:00 - Road to 2029/30: Funding, FEED readiness, and de-risking first-of-a-kind at Australian scale.
50:15 - What’s next: How listeners can follow ABEL Energy and help champion a new export industry.
Guest bio
Michael van Baarle is the Executive Chairman & Co-founder of ABEL Energy, an Australian industrial project developer focused on producing green methanol using green hydrogen and sustainable carbon sources. With nearly two decades across energy and infrastructure in Australia and the U.S., including methanol and DME, Michael co-founded ABEL Energy to catalyse a domestic green-methanol industry and position Australia as a regional supplier for clean shipping fuels and low-carbon chemicals.
Links
ABEL Energy: abelenergy.com.au
Michael van Baarle (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/michael-van-baarle-21994022/
ABEL Energy (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/company/abelenergy/
In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy is joined by Hannah Monaghan, Boeing’s Australia Lead for Sustainability Reporting & Governance. Together they unpack aviation’s decarbonisation pathway, discussing everything from Hydrogen, SAF, Electric flight, aircraft design and operational efficiencies.
Hannah’s Highlights:
1:05 - Boeing in Australia & NZ: 98+ years, ~4,500 people, Melbourne composites, RAAF sustainment
3:50 - Why decarbonise aviation: ~2% of emissions today, APAC demand set to grow
6:15 - Boeing’s pillars: fleet renewal, advanced tech, operational efficiency, renewable energy, market measures
9:40 - Aircraft lifecycles (30–40 yrs) and retrofits: winglets, 787 curved wings, 777X folding tips
13:20 - Certification reality: safety testing - why it takes time
15:30 - Ops efficiency wins: smarter arrivals, single-engine taxi, collaboration with airports & ATC
18:10 – Carbon offsets to removals: CORSIA basics, first ocean-based removals MOU; green hydrogen by-product
21:05 - SAF 101: drop-in fuel, HEFA pathway, feedstocks (UCO, ag residues, MSW)
24:30 - Where SAF is today: blends to 50% certified across Boeing fleet; pathway to 100%
27:10 - Supply, policy & refineries: keeping feedstock onshore; AU & NZ outlooks
31:00 - Turnarounds & infrastructure: why SAF fits current refuelling ops; blending mandates
33:40 - Electric & hydrogen: use-cases, grid “greenness”, long-haul constraints for Australia
38:10 - Cascade 2.0: open modelling to test SAF, hydrogen, electric and grid scenarios
41:20 - Materials & circularity: composites, cabin “one-percenters” (lightweight recycled carpets)
44:30 - Barriers & opportunities: stackable incentives, global harmonisation, jobs & fuel security
48:10 - Final take: now is the moment - coordination across industry, government and communities
About Hannah
Hannah Monaghan is the Australia Lead for Sustainability Reporting & Governance within Boeing’s Global Enterprise Sustainability team (since Jan 2024). She joined Boeing in 2022 in Government Affairs after roles advising Australia’s Federal Minister for the Environment and the NSW Minister for Family & Community Services. An organic chemist by training, Hannah holds a Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry from UTS.
Connect with Hannah - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-monaghan-392249133/
Links
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Episode Overview
In this episode, Andy Marsland sits down with Neil McDonald, CEO of Gold Hydrogen, to unpack an exciting investment announcement and explore the future of natural hydrogen and helium in Australia. From historical discoveries that have led to cutting-edge drilling programs, this conversation dives deep into the potential of hydrogen as a clean, cost-effective energy source, and how helium (including the rare helium-3) could revolutionise industries from quantum computing to power generation and transportation.
Neil McDonald is co-founder and Managing Director of Gold Hydrogen, one of the first companies in the world to confirm that high natural hydrogen deposits exist underground. Gold Hydrogen is now leading the race to commercialise hydrogen, a near carbon-zero energy source which would impact worldwide zero emissions targets.
Gold Hydrogen is also progressing helium opportunities, as the hydrogen tests also produced strong helium showings, one of the first major finds in a non-petroleum area.
Neil has more than 20 years of extensive commercial experience in the energy and minerals sectors and has helped commercialise some of Australia’s largest exploration projects for private and public companies.
What You’ll Learn
Key Takeaways
Resources & Links
If you’re as excited about the future of clean energy as we are, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more information or to connect with Gold Hydrogen, check out the links above.
Discussions of Green Iron, Green Ammonia and Dual-fuel heavy transport
Stephen Archer:
Stephen Archer is the CEO of Warradarge Energy, a company leading the development of renewable hydrogen projects in Western Australia. Warradarge’s portfolio of projects covers diesel displacement, green iron, and green ammonia offtake markets. The company focuses on strong renewable resources and addressable offtake markets as a strategic focus. Stephen has spent over a decade in renewable energy and hydrogen project development, financing and execution. Most recently serving as WA State Manager for BP’s renewable energy division – where he developed over 2.6GW of grid-connected Solar, Wind and Battery projects, including Australia’s largest single-stage solar farm, and the renewable generation assets attached to some of the largest green hydrogen projects currently in development.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Andy Marsland speaks with Stephen Archer, CEO of Warradarge Energy, about the company’s innovative approach to renewable hydrogen projects in Western Australia. They explore Warradarge’s three major initiatives: green hydrogen production, dual-fuel trucking technology, and green iron manufacturing. The conversation highlights the importance of pragmatic, scalable solutions in Australia’s energy transition.
Topics & Highlights
1. Warradarge’s Mission and Strategy
2. Green Hydrogen Production
3. Dual-Fuel Trucking Technology
4. Green Iron Initiative
5. Challenges and Policy Needs
6. Future Outlook
Notable Quotes
“Every achievement worth talking about was declared impossible before it was done.” – Stephen Archer
“Hydrogen will assist, not replace everything.” – Stephen Archer
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/warradarge-energy/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-archer/
How to Produce Green Ammonia for under US$300 per tonne – With Element One
Overview: In this episode, Andy Marsland explores the latest advancements in hydrogen and ammonia technologies with Phil Matthews and Troy Philpot. They discuss the potential of hydrogen and ammonia in the green energy sector, focusing on their commercial viability, practical applications, and the innovative technologies developed by Element One which are a potential game changer for the industry.
Guests:
Phil Matthews - Managing Director of Element One
· Phil is the Managing Director at Element One, where he has dedicated over a decade to advancing the green energy sector. With a specialised focus on hydrogen derivatives, Phil has driven significant research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing renewable energy applications. Phil's academic foundation in Environmental Science and Sustainable Energy Management underpins his commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions for the future. His notable technological contributions include the development of Kraktek, an innovative ammonia reformer and hydrogen purification technology, as well as Ammoniac, a cutting-edge solution for renewable ammonia synthesis.
Troy Philpot - Director of Origination at BE Power Group and consultant to Element One
· Troy is the Director – Origination for the BE Power group of companies. BE Power have over 18GWh of pumped hydro and energy storage projects, totalling around $6B in construction value, under development across Australia.
He has over a decade of experience in high voltage electrical infrastructure, services and energy transition projects, with the commercial arm of Energy Queensland, as well as a background in commercial strategy, marketing and business development.
Troy supports the Element One team, with insights into commercial viability, potential industry partnerships and helps drive innovation opportunities.
Key Topics:
1. Introduction to Element One:
· Phil Matthews introduces Element One, highlighting its focus on hydrogen carriers and the development of innovative technologies, Kraktek and Ammoniac.
· The company's mission is to revolutionise hydrogen storage and transportation.
2. Hydrogen Carriers and Transportation:
· Discussion on the inefficiencies of current hydrogen storage and transportation methods.
· Comparison between liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, and ammonia as hydrogen carriers.
· Phil's views on the volumetric energy density of hydrogen and the advantages of ammonia.
3. Ammonia as a Hydrogen Carrier:
· Benefits of using ammonia for hydrogen storage and transportation include existing infrastructure and higher energy density.
· Comparison of ammonia tankers with liquid hydrogen ships in terms of practicality and energy efficiency.
4. Innovative Technologies:
· Introduction to Kraktek, an ammonia reformer.
· The efficiency and purity of hydrogen produced using Crack Tech achieve 99.9999% purity.
· Development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer alternative for hydrogen storage and transportation.
5. Commercial Viability:
· Troy Philpot discusses the economic advantages of Element One's technologies, emphasising cost-effectiveness and green credentials.
· Discussion of how to produce green ammonia for under USD300 per tonne.
· The potential for ammonia to be a cheaper and greener alternative to traditional hydrocarbons.
6. Safety and Practicality:
· Addressing the toxicity of ammonia and how Element One's solutions mitigate these concerns.
· The development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer, room-temperature liquid for hydrogen storage and transportation.
7. Future Prospects:
· Potential applications of these technologies in various industries, including transportation, mining, and agriculture.
· The importance of industry partnerships and the role of universities in advancing these technologies.
· The challenges of gaining acceptance and the need for first movers to adopt these technologies.
8. Current Challenges:
· There are difficulties in proving the technology and gaining wider acceptance.
· There is a need for industry players with deeper pockets to adopt and scale these technologies.
· The potential for overseas adoption before widespread use in Australia.
Conclusion: Andy, Phil, and Troy wrap up the episode by highlighting the transformative potential of ammonia technologies in achieving a sustainable energy future. They emphasise the need for continued innovation and collaboration to overcome current challenges and make these technologies commercially viable.
Call to Action:
· Subscribe to the "Exploring Hydrogen" podcast for more insights into the hydrogen energy sector.
· Follow Element One and BE Power Group for updates on their latest projects and advancements.
· Check out the University of Newcastle's website for updates on their research and milestones related to hydrogen and ammonia technologies.
Links
· https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/hydrogen-compression
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-sh3energy/
· https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-p-0084a212/
The State of Hydrogen – current opportunities and challenges. A perspective from the forefront of hydrogen research and development – With Central Queensland University
Episode Summary: In this episode, Andy Marsland welcomes Paul Hodgson to discuss the advancements, opportunities, and challenges in the hydrogen energy sector. Paul shares his extensive experience and insights into the role of hydrogen in decarbonising Australia and the world, focusing on its applications in transportation, industry, and society.
Paul Hodgson is Executive Director Regional Futures – Energy Transitions, and Director of the Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy at CQUniversity Australia. He is also Chair of Queensland Manufacturing Institute and Vice Chair of the Hydrogen Flight Alliance.
Prior to joining CQUniversity earlier last year, Paul was Interim CEO of a bid for a Scaling Green Hydrogen Cooperative Research Centre, developing a 10-year $213m research and training program with the support of 97 partners from 12 countries. Between 2017 and 2021, Paul was General Manager Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement (East Coast) for the Australian energy industry growth centre, NERA, where he led the development of a national network of regional hydrogen technology clusters.
Key Topics Discussed:
Notable Quotes:
Bio: Bob has 20 years of international aerospace experience, the past 8 of which he has worked on the cutting edge of electric aircraft innovation. He supported Heart Aerospace and Ampaire with electric propulsion system engineering development. He was an early member of the magniX leadership team, helping define company strategy, product roadmap, and certification as Head of Aircraft Integration. Earlier in his career, Bob worked at Google X on the Makani project and held lead positions in Saab, Airbus, UTC, Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing aircraft programs. Bob studied aerospace engineering at UNSW and went through Y Combinator in W23. At Stralis, Bob drives company strategy and manages the finances, leads fundraising and customer sales, and supports the engineering team with his extensive knowledge and expertise.
Welcome to Exploring Hydrogen, the podcast that delves into the emerging hydrogen energy sector's innovations, opportunities, and challenges. In this episode, host Andy Marsland speaks with Bob Criner, co-founder and CEO of Stralis Aircraft. With over 20 years of aerospace experience, including cutting-edge electric propulsion innovation, Bob shares insights into how hydrogen is revolutionising aviation and what it means for the future of travel.
Introduction to Stralis Aircraft
The Hydrogen Advantage in Aviation
Technology and Innovation
Challenges in Hydrogen Adopt
the Hydrogen Flight Alliance, including key partnerships with Brisbane Airport, QUT, and Fortescue.
Future Vision for Aviation
Hydrogen Beyond Passenger Planes
Insights for Startups in the Hydrogen Sector
Key Quotes:
"Hydrogen electric propulsion could redefine how we think about regional air travel—cleaner, cheaper, and more connected." – Bob Criner
"With innovations in fuel cell efficiency and lightweight design, we’re unlocking the future of long-range, emission-free aviation." – Bob Criner
Resources & Links:
Join the Journey
Thank you for tuning in to Exploring Hydrogen! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends and colleagues. See you next time as we explore more ways hydrogen shapes a sustainable future.
Exploring Hydrogen
Ep 26 – The ‘Rubbish’ (!) Episode. Converting Waste to Energy – With Wildfire Energy
Greg Perkins is a co-founder, MD and CEO of Wildfire Energy
His is an Innovator with more than 20 years of industry experience in the development of new technologies and projects for the energy and oil & gas industries, with 12 pending and granted patents. He has a passion for cleaner energy, technology, innovation and business strategy and is a former Adjunct Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland, 2021-2024; MIChemE and CPEng
Greg’s relevant experience includes:
· Experience across diverse functions from technology, project delivery, construction and operations as well as business development
· Start up and commissioning of a $100 million USD natural gas gasification unit at a refinery complex in Malaysia
· Design, operation and troubleshooting of numerous coal gasification projects.
· Inventor of the moving injection gravity drainage (MIGD) process for heavy oil recovery.
Key Points and Discussion Highlights
Closing Remarks
A link to their website and newsletters is below:
Newsletters | wildfire (wildfireenergy.com.au)
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:
Episode Highlights:
Resources Mentioned:
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.
Chris Dolman is the Business Development Manager for BOC. He’s been working across a number of areas including hydrogen to biomethane and other Gaseous vectors.
BOC is part of the Linde Group, one of the world's largest industrial gas and engineering companies and it operates in over 100 countries. The company supplies a wide range of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which are essential for various industries such as healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.
Globally, Linde plc employs approximately 65,000 people and its operations include production facilities, distribution networks, and extensive research and development activities, making it a critical supplier of industrial gases and engineering solutions worldwide.
● BOC's Role in the Hydrogen Industry
○ Supplying hydrogen globally for over 80 years
○ Operating 170 hydrogen production plants worldwide
○ Transitioning from traditional uses of hydrogen to focusing on hydrogen as an energy vector
● Supply Chain Challenges
○ Impact of COVID-19 on international supply chains
○ Australia’s unique standards and challenges in hydrogen production
○ Difficulties in sourcing specialised equipment like electrolyser stacks and spare parts
● Technical and Engineering Challenges
○ Managing electrolyser "turn-down rates" and balancing plant sizing
○ The complexity of "plug and play" refueler systems
○ Localising skills for hydrogen project engineering and maintenance
● Australia's Hydrogen Projects
○ Insights from the BP-BOC Queensland refuelling project and Toyota Eco Park project
○ Hydrogen buses in Victoria and South Australia as a success story
○ Challenges and cost pressures in hydrogen hub projects, such as the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub
● Lessons for the Future of Hydrogen
○ Importance of having critical spare parts and skilled local workers
○ The need for collaboration within the hydrogen supply chain
○ Australia’s limitations in the hydrogen truck market due to right-hand drive and specialised truck configurations (e.g., B-doubles)
Key Takeaways:
This episode highlights the challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen energy sector, particularly from an Australian perspective. It emphasises the need for collaboration, innovation, and local skill development to overcome supply chain constraints and technical obstacles. The discussion also underscores the importance of planning for long-term growth in hydrogen projects, from sourcing materials to building local expertise.
Links
● linkedin.com/in/chris-dolman-b2509710
● https://www.boc-limited.com.au/en/index.html
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.
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/
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.
Alistair Wardrope is the Technical Director & Co-Founder of Amarna Energy.
Alistair has been working in the renewable hydrogen industry since 2006, starting his career in ITM-Power, and moving into offshore wind and nuclear generation in the UK. He moved to Australia in 2013 working for Jemena, becoming the technical lead for renewable gases, heading up Jemena’s hydrogen demonstration plant and biomethane injection plant. Along with Andrew Lelliott, they co-founded Amarna in 2019, a specialist renewable energy consultancy, providing engineering and project management to a range of leading hydrogen and cutting-edge renewable technologies. Amarna has offices in Sydney and Brisbane and supports a range of projects in operation, construction, and various stages of development.
Andy is joined by Alistair Wardrope, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience in the hydrogen sector. Alistair shares his expertise on the current state of hydrogen in Australia, particularly focusing on the technical and logistical challenges of importing key equipment such as electrolysers, compressors, and gas storage units.
Throughout the episode, Alistair discusses:
● The immature hydrogen sector in Australia, especially regarding electrolyser technology.
● Common issues faced by hydrogen projects in Australia include compliance delays, installation problems, and quality control.
● The importance of collaboration within the hydrogen community to overcome these challenges.
● The relatively stable supply chain for compressed gas cylinders versus the more problematic areas like electrolysers and compressors.
● Lessons learned from working with hydrogen technologies across different sectors and regions.
Alistair also emphasises the need for patience and collaboration, as these early challenges are typical in any emerging industry. As hydrogen technologies scale up and become more refined, many of these issues will likely diminish over time. He encourages developers in Australia to focus on strengthening local supply chains while relying on proven global technology for core components.
Key Takeaways:
● The hydrogen sector is still in its early stages in Australia, with significant challenges related to the import of electrolyser technology.
● Supply chain issues are common but can be overcome with collaboration and shared industry knowledge.
● Developers should leverage local strengths in manufacturing and assembly to complement global technologies.
● Patience is key- scaling up a new industry always comes with teething pains, but lessons learned today will drive future progress.
Links
linkedin.com/in/alistair-wardrope-82183b24
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 Hub
ATCO 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 people
In 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.
Links
https://www.atco.com/en-au.html
https://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/
Tim Davies is the Project Manager for Ark Energy’s proposed Han-Ho H2 Hub, a major renewable generation, green hydrogen, and ammonia project in North Queensland. With a strong background at Fortescue Future Industries and Origin Energy, Tim has extensive experience across the hydrogen, oil, gas, and energy value chain.
A distinguished engineer and project manager, he is known for his expertise in megaprojects and his broad commercial acumen. Tim is dedicated to advancing the renewable energy industry and bringing innovation to the energy sector.
Overview of Ark Energy and Korea Zinc
Tim discusses Ark Energy's mission to decarbonise Korea Zinc's operations. He explains, "Ark Energy was formed to decarbonise the group, leveraging investments in renewable projects like the MacIntyre Wind Farm and Sun Metals Solar Farm."
MacIntyre Wind Farm and Sun Metals Solar Farm
Development of renewable energy projects and their integration with zinc refinery operations. Tim highlights, "MacIntyre is a one-gigawatt wind farm, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, aimed at local energy use and decarbonisation."
Expansion and Acquisitions
Ark Energy's acquisition of Epuron expanded its renewable energy portfolio to seven gigawatts. Tim states, "With the acquisition of Epuron, we now have a significant pipeline of renewable energy developments along the East Coast of Queensland and New South Wales."
SunHQ Project
Current construction status and challenges faced, including the impact of COVID-19 on project timelines. Tim shares, "SunHQ will be the largest integrated refuelling station in Australia, powering hydrogen trucks with green hydrogen from our solar farm."
Han-Ho Hydrogen Hub
Overview of the project and its current stage. Tim mentions, "We're targeting 1.8 million tonnes per annum of hydrogen production, backed by the development of our Collinsville Green Energy Hub."
Recent Budget Announcements
Analysis of the recent budget's impact on hydrogen projects in Australia. Tim observes, "The production tax incentive signals to our offshore investors that Australia is keen on green hydrogen and is putting money into closing the gap."
Challenges in the Hydrogen Sector
Addressing skill shortages and resource management in Australia. Tim notes, "We need to be mindful of the pressure on local communities and labour markets as we ramp up hydrogen projects."
Korean Contracts for Difference Scheme
Overview of the scheme and its impact on hydrogen projects. Tim explains, "The Korean government is prioritising green hydrogen, and with Australia's hydrogen production tax incentive, green hydrogen is looking favourable."
Tim's Trip to China
Insights from visiting major manufacturers and advancements in electrolyser technology. Tim shares, "China's scale-up for manufacturing hydrogen technology is impressive, but there's still a challenge to meet Australian standards and timelines."
Community Engagement and Social License
Importance of early engagement with local communities and addressing their concerns. Tim emphasises, "Social license isn't given; it's earned. We're working closely with communities to understand and mitigate impacts."
Project Challenges and Strategies
Balancing engineering and commercial aspects to ensure sustainable development. Tim states, "The biggest challenge is aligning all the puzzle pieces, from engineering to commercial agreements, to make these projects viable."
Future Vision for Ark Energy
Goals and expectations for the next decade. Tim envisions, "In ten years, we'd like to see Han-Ho operating, a green corridor between Korea and Australia established, and significant progress towards net zero."
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Tim encourages collaboration within the hydrogen industry. He concludes, "The more projects we get over the line, the quicker we can bring costs down and transition to green hydrogen. We're proponents, not competitors."
Follow ARK Energy
Website: arkenergy.com.au
A hotbed of Clean Energy Technologies and Training – Stanwell FEITH Project
Peter 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 industry
11.36 - 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 months
16.20 - 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 facility
21.40 - 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 support
22.53 - 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/
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De-mystifying economic policy for Hydrogen – “The 5 Levers”, with GHD
Introduction to Ariel:
Ariel Elboim a Senior Advisor for GHD working in the future energy market. A consultant for 10 years, Ariel has worked on the decarbonisation of infrastructure, and renewable energy projects across various sectors, including energy, water and transport. For the past 5 years, his focus has been dedicated to accelerating the growth of the hydrogen industry in Australia. He plays an active role not only through his project work for both private and public clients but also through his engagement with industry, including his position as H2Q Hydrogen Queensland Policy Advocacy Taskforce Lead.
1.45 - About GHD & Ariel's work
GHD is a globally recognised organisation operating in the markets of engineering, architecture, digital, water, energy, environment, and transport. Above 11,000 employees across 5 continents and 120+ offices.
Over the last 4 years, Ariel has been working holistically to accelerate the growth of the hydrogen industry in Australia, and that's been looking at strategic, tactical, operational projects, and more recently, at policy and policy mechanisms and how they can be conducive to the growth of the industry in Australia.
3.00 - The work H2Q Hydrogen Queensland is doing to help translate what industry sentiment is and how that can help inform government policy. They have been doing a lot of engagement and report writing over the last year with a white paper that was released over Christmas.
4.15 -Summary of the 5 levers & examples around the world
Lever # 1 - Tax Regulation
What can the government do in terms of regulatory standards and requirements to influence proponent behaviour, and what kind of tax levers can they use to influence taxpayers' behaviour?
Regulatory standards and requirements that the government can implement to influence behaviour, or what kind of tax incentives or penalties can the government implement to also influence behaviour?
06.00 - Carbon prices around the world & the Safeguard Mechanism
08.20 - Lever #2 - Tax credits & subsidies
Tax credits and subsidies are an incentive-based policy instrument that provides market-compatible forms of direct government intervention.
09.00 - U. S. Inflation Reduction Act
This offers a tax credit of up to $3 per kilogram of hydrogen produced. That $3 per kilogram is based on the carbon intensity of the product.
10.06 - What can Australia do, even without having such ‘deep pockets’ as the US?
11.20 - Lever #3 - Market based schemes
Market-based schemes are interesting because they're an amalgamation of different mechanisms and they usually consist of a pull mechanism or a lever that tries to pull investment into the market, and a push mechanism, so it pushes proponents to do something.
12.30 - Lever # 4 - Contracts for Difference
This lever is getting a lot of attention across the world at the minute, especially in the hydrogen space. CFDs, Contracts for Differences, are financial contracts between a supplier and a purchaser of energy, provided a certain price. The Contract for Difference stipulates that the purchaser will pay the seller the difference between the market value at the time of contracting.
Essentially a market price is agreed upon, usually called the strike price, and this is based on several factors. It could be the level of CO2 emissions that are being abated. It could be the cost of the fossil fuel plus a green premium, whatever the market decides is a strike price, but everyone agrees that's the baseline.
14.45 - Review periods for Contracts for Difference
"Contracts for Difference usually last for about 10, 12, 15 years and by that point, the market will have readjusted to an equilibrium. And then you reassess it."
17.00 - "The biggest issue in the hydrogen space at the minute and the reason projects aren't getting past FID, or to FID, is because the premium on hydrogen just isn't suitable so you're not able to guarantee a revenue guarantee revenue stream and is probably the biggest killer to projects, from my understanding."
19.15 - Lever #5 - Financing Arrangements
Australia has been pursuing this lever for the last three or four years in terms of getting the hydrogen industry.
Essentially finance is provided as a means to mitigate the inherent risk in developing new projects, new industries, and creating new sectors.
21.20 - Backing of funding in Australia
“There's a difference between picking winners and making strategically good choices. The example is, that we're not going to see a major hydrogen passenger vehicle industry market in Australia anytime soon because the progress that EVs are making is just staggering.
However, if you look at large industries that are hard to abate, like I mentioned steel and iron and alumina, etc. they are clear good strategic options for hydrogen to be implemented."
23.30 - Disadvantages of using each of these mechanisms/examples of where they've not been rolled out successfully
● Carbon leakage
● Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
25.30 - Will we get to the stage where Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions are going to be monitored for all countries and organisations?
"One of the actions of the National Hydrogen Strategy was to create a guarantee of origin scheme, which essentially was a certificate to say that the hydrogen that you've produced is, has this carbon intensity.
And that essentially is going to accompany every kilogram of hydrogen in the future that is produced in Australia. So that indicates that the carbon emissions will be monitored very closely."
26.15 - Recommendations for Queensland & Australia
"An export industry based on an already established export-import relationship is a way to go. Australia doesn't have that much to decarbonize in the grand global scheme.
One of the key things to look for would be economic prosperity, and that lies in the export opportunity."
31.45 - Are the policies Australia has in place at the moment sufficient?
"Australia has announced a total of about $35 billion total to support hydrogen. And if you compare that too globally, which is about 350 billion, I think it's less than 10 percent of Australia's investment globally. And that's what it comes down to at the end of the day, the money."
"Australia does have a bit of catching up to do and that's why we're at such a pivotal moment."
33.30 - Hydrogen Head Start Program
The Program is essentially a $2 billion government fund to underwrite project operational costs by providing a production credit for every kilogram of hydrogen produced.
The Energy and Jobs Plan: Only a small fraction of the energy job plan fund has been tapped into because for it to ...
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 Manufacture
The 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 globe
Customers 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 world
The 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.linkedin.com/company/accelerazero/
linkedin.com/in/denis-thomas-cummins
linkedin.com/in/michael-bartsch-48612117
Subtitle: The future of air travel – reach the other side of the world, sustainably, within 4 hours
Destinus is an organisation focusing on creating hypersonic air travel, which is five times the speed of sound, not just supersonic. That is travelling across the world sustainably in as little as four to five hours. They are a young startup company founded only two years ago. Destinus is already working in four countries in Europe; Switzerland, Spain, France and Germany.
Bios:
Bart Van Hove is the Head of Advanced Studies at Destinus. He studied mechanical and aerospace engineering. He became interested in hypersonics and fluid dynamics at the von Karman Institute, where he worked on hypersonic aerodynamic wind tunnels. He did his PhD on Mars atmospheric entry capsules and has been fascinated by astronomy and science from an early age. Destinus is as close to space as you can reasonably fly on Earth, in the stratosphere at Mach 5. While that’s slow for a planetary lander, it’s insanely fast for a passenger aircraft. Bart likes to work on difficult problems with interesting people.
Philip Silva is a Mechanical Design Engineer for Destinus. He has worked on cutting-edge technologies at the CERN particle physics experiments, the ITER fusion reaction, and has been involved in numerous hydrogen technology projects involving cryogenics and fuel cells. He is responsible for hydrogen business development at Destinus, including mobility and energy generation.
3.00 - Key learnings from the test flights:
The test flights now are subsonic so the aircraft are relatively basic, but they have some special features you don't see in any other plane. There are many things we want to learn about, and one of them is the shape of the aircraft. They are very aggressively shaped to be hypersonic, even though today they fly subsonic.
4.30 - Subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic:
Subsonic is under the speed of sound, supersonic is at the rate of sound, and hypersonic is classified as five times the speed of sound.
5.20 - Overview of Destinus’s Goals
We want to make commercial hypersonic flight real. We want to go a lot faster than Concorde. And we want to make the world like a smaller place where we can go anywhere in less than 2-3 hours.
6.00 – Is Destinus focussed on specific uses vs revolutionising air transport as a whole
If you look at hydrogen in aviation today, it is usually focused on fuel cells, which is good for short, maybe medium-range travel. We’re working on combustion, and a lot faster. What we are working on is flying to the other side of the world and coming back on the same day. So that means no jet lag and a completely different way in which people will travel.
7 - Amount of fuel to have to keep on board
We're talking about several tons of fuel, which is not crazy in itself, but the volume of hydrogen is very large because the density is low. You have to store this hydrogen in a liquid form, which means it has to be cryogenic, very cold. That's one of the main challenges with these aircraft.
8 - The challenges, when you fly hypersonic compared to supersonic & refuelling
We are very heavily involved in the refuelling and the ground infrastructure. We have recently created a consortium to create infrastructure in an airport in France.
9.30 - Changes required when this comes to fruition
The aircraft are designed to operate at airports and they have to operate in airspace together with classical planes. That reality means we need to be compatible with the airports and beyond the fuel infrastructure and use the runways that exist.
10.30 - Safety aspects of having these aircraft
For the aircraft, we're going to be storing hydrogen in liquid form, so the pressure is very low. It's just much safer so if there's anything that happens the hydrogen will expand, but it will not explode, it will not create a shockwave, for example.
13.00 - Navigating through the legislation:
Hydrogen is slowly making its way into many industries. The operations and handling of hydrogen have been solved in specialized industries and will slowly make their way into the general society.
As for aviation certification and aircraft safety, the basic rules will not change. We have to think about how new technologies can satisfy those rules, but the rules themselves don't have to change.
15.10 - The progression of prototypes and where the design is aiming for in the future
The prototype aircraft is a progression of increasing complexity. We have been flying subsonic aircraft with hypersonic shapes, but subsonic engines, these are jet fuel. And incrementally, progressively, we are introducing hydrogen, going supersonic, later hypersonic.
16.30 - When is Destinus aiming for the first commercial flight and where is that likely to be?
The development of these aircraft will take at least 10 years. We cannot predict that commercial exploitation depends on a number of things like which customers are ready to buy are the regulations and the certifications complete.
17.00 - What other sort of challenges are you facing:
There is no shortage of people that want to work on this amazing project. On the other hand, there is some healthy scepticism. We believe we can do it, but we have to show ourselves and we have to show the world – so there is that promise to fulfil.
There's also the transition to hydrogen in aviation. In general, there is a big discussion about whether to pursue hydrogen exclusively or whether to rely on sustainable fuels, which may be oils, but zero carbon, this is something long-term that requires a strategic vision.
19.00 - Additional information:
We publish a lot of information on LinkedIn, a lot of videos, and a lot of images. We're trying to keep the public informed. We're not trying to keep any secrets. So join us. Even join us professionally.
Destinus are trying to align our technological roadmap with as many spin-offs to really create what we call the hydrogen valley. From green hydrogen production to combustion, to energy conversion and energy storage.
20.00 – When is the next test flight?
The next test flight is planned for the spring of next year. That will be the 3rd prototype which will ultimately go supersonic with a liquid hydrogen afterburner.
This will be the first time in history as well that somebody flies a liquid hydrogen afterburner on an aircraft. It is also a hybrid aircraft with a combination of jet fuel and hydrogen.
21.20 - Cost of tickets:
The cost can be reduced to become close to an expensive ticket today if hydrogen takes off and scales up large enough in the future.
22.00 - Realistically, what can be achieved by Destinus in the next 10 years?
Fully hydrogen-powered aircraft that fly Mach 5 should be totally possible in that timeframe.
One way to put it is, in the next 10 y...
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
Introduction to the guest,
Russell James has over 19 years of experience in energy and is experienced in the delivery of small to large-scale energy and utility infrastructure projects. He has extensive knowledge of gas and energy markets, pricing, and regulations. Over the last four years, he has led or played a key role in all ATCO's hydrogen-related activities, including the development of the Clean Energy Innovation Hub, conceptualising and sourcing funding from the WA Government Renewable Hydrogen Fund for the Hydrogen Vehicle Refuelling station, and securing $28.7m from ARENA to develop the Clean Energy Innovation Park - a commercial scale renewable hydrogen production project.
1.30 - Background of ATCO
ATCO stands for Alberta Trailer Company and began with modular trailers, which grew into acquiring Canadian utilities in the 1980s, including electricity generation, gas processing, storage, and transmission. They have just celebrated their 75th year in operation.
ATCO has diverse business operations, including modular structures, power stations, and a gas distribution network - in Australia, the network has 800,000 connection points and a focus on renewables and hydrogen/future fuels.
4 - Humble beginnings
ATCO now has over 6,200 employees and over $22 billion worth of assets. It has been operational in about a hundred countries and has 75,000 kilometres of electrical power lines and 65,000 kilometres of natural gas pipelines. However, despite the growth, it’s a very family-orientated business.
“We do what we say we're going to do, and that includes supporting those communities where we operate, and also supporting our employees in what they're doing.”
4.45 - Clean Energy Innovation Hub
The project is an opportunity to showcase applications for the technology and the use of hydrogen gas in commercial, industrial and residential settings.
“Energy security as you can imagine is extremely important particularly with our control room operation at the site, we can't afford to have outages because we're responding to those 800,000 customers, 24 7, 365 days a year”
6.45 -
● Training facility at the innovation hub, which is a registered training organisation where they train all operatives to construct, operate and maintain the network.
● Hydrogen courses at the facility
● Have around 100 kilowatts of electrical demand at any point in time, 300 kilowatts of solar onto the rooftop.
● Store excess renewables.
● 200-kilowatt electrolyzer to convert water and split that through a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, into hydrogen gas and oxygen.
9.35 - Key learnings
- Supply Chain challenges: “procuring an electrolyzer was different at that point in time when we were buying a 200-kilowatt electrolyzer. You couldn't go down to Bunnings and buy one off the shelf!!!.”
- Different procurement practices.
- Learning also included the integration of the regulations and standards and bringing the technical regulator along the journey as well.
The next Stage in the project was gas blending:
“The next step in the project and one we can talk about a little bit further is a blending project, which takes it out from behind the meter. We're actually blending out into around 2,700 homes and businesses around the Jandakot area.
11.30 - What percentage was it blended into the network and what percentage do you think you can get to?
13.19 - Collaboration in California with Southern California (SoCal) Gas
“...the approach that we like to take at ATCO is a ‘crawl, walk, run’. We'd rather learn on these smaller jobs and start to build to scale. And that's what we're doing, we're still focused on the large-scale export projects, but also let's build at manageable and build skill and capability.
With that project we're able to assist SoCal Gas to replicate what we've got through the hub and the hybrid home, which is another part of our site at Jandakot.”
15 - Clean Energy Innovation Park
“These days we've got people knocking on the door wanting to procure hydrogen and use it to really get the industry going. We’ve utilised the skills and expertise that we've built on the hub to now get to a 10-megawatt scale. And the facility that we've designed, we now can replicate.
17 - Cost of Hydrogen
“The main factors that we see with the cost per kilo; there are some capital elements to it, but the main driver is energy input. It's, it's a very high percentage - somewhere in the region of 60-70%+ of the makeup in the cost of hydrogen. And particularly in Australia at this point in time with some of the energy volatility, which creates a challenge for hydrogen production. We need to see those costs continue to come down”
18.45 - The collaboration with FFI on the refuelling stations.
700Bar refueler, co-located at Jandakot Clean Energy Innovation Hub.
Electric vehicles definitely have a place as do fuel-cell electric vehicles – Hydrogen cars are also electric cars which people sometimes forget. The difference is how the power is getting delivered into that electric motor.”
23.40 - Range anxiety and refuelling stations
I think it is quite important that we take a jurisdictional approach and, a geographical approach to where these are located.
“On the East coast of Australia it's been really good to see the States combining and look at things like the hydrogen highway between, New South Wales and Victoria and Queensland and how that can integrate. That's a really important part of the nation coming together.”
25.45 - Where does Australia sit in comparison?
Australia has to move on quite quickly, and a coordinated national framework would be beneficial. This will allow people that are looking to invest in hydrogen to move forward. The challenge is who pays for it - and that's always the question.
27.30 - What are the biggest challenges within your team at the moment?
“We're a small team, but we're very agile and, and nimble and we've got some really strong skills and capability within the team. However we need to focus on projects that are going to start to move the dial and get to commerciality.”
This is an industry where collaboration is key. Each party has a role to play. There's enough to go around for everybody in order to achieve the goals of export into 2030, 2040 and beyond. So in this early stage, it is working together with like-minded companies and users. And that's not only domestically, but also internationally to start these projects moving - and recognize where we all can work together for the greater good.
It is an important step to build skill, capability, expertise, and knowledge here in Australia. And also, to increase the size of projects to get to export. We need to show that Australia has a real opportunity for hydrogen.”
34.30 - Collaboration with Suncor Energy in Canada
34 - Low Hanging-Fruit - including Gas distribution networks and the transportation sector.
35 <...