Hydrogen Industry Development Fund

Proponent: Australian Gas Networks Limited (AGN)
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $1.78 million

AGN will build a renewable hydrogen production facility and undertake a gas-blending trial of up to 10% hydrogen into the Gladstone gas distribution network.

The blended gas will serve approximately 770 homes and businesses in Gladstone. The project will be the first in Australia to provide blended gas across a city network which includes residential, commercial and industrial customers.

The project will provide significant research and training opportunities in the local region and serve as a proof-of-concept for further implementation of blended hydrogen gas projects across Australia.

Australian Gas Networks has further information available on their website.

Proponent: Jilrift Pty Ltd

Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $0.94 million

The Scenic Rim Trail off-grid energy project will provide the energy requirements for 5 eco-camps using renewable energy and hydrogen storage technologies.

The project will provide a working demonstration of the safe generation, storage, transport and use of low-pressure hydrogen in remote Queensland locations and provide opportunities for local suppliers to upskill in hydrogen technologies including equipment manufacturing.

Further information is available on Spicers Retreats website.

Proponent: Ark Energy H2 Pty Ltd
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $5 million

Ark Energy will establish a renewable hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the Sun Metals refinery in Townsville. Hydrogen will be produced via electrolysis and used for a trial of up to five hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in the Sun Metals fleet as well as a variety of other applications across the refinery operations.

The project will showcase the application of locally produced hydrogen and facilitate capacity building in the local supply chain.

Ark Energy have also been successful in obtaining ARENA funding to support the project.

Further information on the SunHQ project is available on Ark Energy’s website.

Proponent: Sealink Gladstone
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $5 million

Sealink will design, construct and operate an Australian Maritime Safety Authority-approved hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry capable of carrying 200 passengers at speeds of 20 knots (37 km/hr).  The vessel is being designed for operation as part of Sealink’s Gladstone fleet.

The project will demonstrate the safe operation of a hydrogen powered passenger ferry and practical emissions reduction initiatives in marine transport.

Proponent: Emerald Coaches Pty Ltd
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $2.7 million

Emerald Coaches will install a hydrogen refueller to supply fuel for a trial of two hydrogen fuel cell electric coaches on its mine transport and school bus contracted routes. The refueller will be trailer-mounted and able to be deployed at other company sites as required.

The project will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of transitioning Australian bus fleets to hydrogen buses.

Proponent: Goondiwindi Regional Council
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $2 million

Goondiwindi Regional Council will co-locate a renewable hydrogen production plant at the Goondiwindi wastewater treatment plant and use wastewater to generate hydrogen and oxygen.

A key element of the project is the use of the oxygen produced within the wastewater treatment process to increase plant efficiency and reduce operating costs. Hydrogen produced through the project will be commercially available, with a range of local opportunities for hydrogen use across the agriculture and transport sectors.

The project will provide a high-value demonstration of the integration of hydrogen technologies into wastewater treatment plants to evaluate forecast benefits in plant performance and efficiency and the production of cost-competitive renewable hydrogen.

Proponent: Transdev Queensland Pty Ltd
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $1.5 million.

Transdev will trial two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses on the existing TransLink public transport network at Redland Bay. Transdev will provide operational data to TransLink to enable the most efficient integration of hydrogen into zero emissions public transport.

The project will create local hydrogen demand to stimulate investment in renewable hydrogen production and raise awareness of the role for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles in public transport.

Proponent: Aurizon Operations Limited
Queensland Government funding commitment of up to $5 million.

Aurizon will trial four hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in its fleet with installation of a high capacity refueller at the Stuart Freight Terminal suitable for heavy vehicles.

Hydrogen will be purchased from Ark Energy via a commercial agreement and transported from point of production to the Stuart Terminal in a hydrogen tube trailer. The four hydrogen fuel cell trucks are expected to each travel approximately 150,000 km/year.

The project will see the rapid scale-up of hydrogen supply in North Queensland, leverage existing infrastructure and demonstrate the integration of hydrogen mobility equipment in an operational environment. The project is part of a broader portfolio of hydrogen related projects being undertaken by Aurizon aiming to reduce emissions across their operations.