Tasmania's First Green Hydrogen Production and Research Facility Launches in Hobart

(Blue Economy Cooperative Research Center) Green hydrogen will be produced for the first time in Tasmania, following today’s launch of the Blue Economy CRC’s Hydrogen Production and Research Facility.

The Hydrogen Production and Research Facility is Tasmania’s first green hydrogen production plant and supports research and training development for blue economy industries. It will also provide commercial-scale hydrogen for industry and transport applications.

The facility features an innovative DC hydrogen microgrid, controlling one of Australia’s largest electrolysers, which generates 100% renewable, green hydrogen – an alternate, reliable energy supply that could replace carbon-intensive fossil fuels and diesel.

The facility will produce 262kg per day, representing the hydrogen required to run two 22m hydrogen fuel cell powered passenger ferries that can carry 75 people for a day.

Blue Economy CRC CEO Dr John Whittington said this was a pivotal moment for clean energy in Tasmania.

“The launch of this facility marks the beginning of Tasmania’s hydrogen production journey of discovery,” Dr Whittington said.

“The production of green hydrogen begins at commercial scale, but what we’re really looking to produce is answers to some of our most important questions around hydrogen and its uses.

“This is a research facility and as we ramp up commercial production, we will also better understand the role hydrogen can play in our system and how it can support Australia’s blue economy.”

Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said the Tasmanian Government welcomed the launch of the State’s first green hydrogen production facility.

“This facility has one of Australia’s largest electrolysers, generating up to 100 per cent renewable hydrogen, providing an alternative and reliable energy supply that could replace carbon-intensive fossil fuels and diesel across a range of industries,” Minister Duigan said.

“Our Government has a goal to reach 200 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2040, and this facility is the start of building a sustainable green hydrogen sector to power our State for generations to come.

“The commencement of this project is also an important step forward in the application of hydrogen as a green fuel, helping to decarbonise our transport sector.

“This commercial-scale green hydrogen project highlights what can be achieved when industry, research and government work together to drive innovation.”

The facility at BOC Australia’s Lutana site features an electrolyser attached to a sophisticated microgrid system that can recreate the inputs from renewable energy such as wind, solar or ocean energy, and mirror loads from industry to simulate real-life applications.

Theo Martin, Managing Director of Linde South Pacific and Head of BOC Australia, said as a global leader in hydrogen technology, BOC was well placed to support this initiative which brings green hydrogen to Tasmania.

“BOC has been safely producing, storing and transporting hydrogen in Australia for more than 80 years. For BOC, this was a perfect opportunity to bring our knowledge and skills to an important project that will lay the foundation for renewable hydrogen research and its application in this State,” Mr Martin said.

“Like other projects we are involved in across Australia, this facility further demonstrates our commitment to supporting renewable hydrogen and the role it can play in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries.”

A 700 kW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser delivered by Optimal Group has been installed and commissioned by pitt&sherry, Optimal Group and BOC, the first of its kind in Tasmania to draw on 100% renewable energy from installed solar PV and verified renewable power from Tasmania’s electricity grid.

Blue Economy CRC Research Director Professor Irene Penesis said hydrogen production is a promising energy technology that has the potential to eliminate carbon emissions when produced using electricity from renewable sources, and without generating polluting effects, but research and training are crucial for its development.

“This world-class research and training facility will advance technologies to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen efficiently and cost-effectively. This means opportunity for a wider adoption of this clean energy source, while building a skilled workforce capable of implementing and maintaining these new systems across the hydrogen value chain.” 

This project was delivered under the CRC Program in conjunction with BOC Australia, the Tasmanian Government, Pitt & Sherry, Optimal Group, the University of Tasmania, Griffith University and Hydro Tasmania. READ MORE