Analysis of physiochemical processes for low levelized cost of renewable hydrogen

R&D Focus Areas:
Technology integration process improvement

Lead Organisation:
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Funding:
Future Energy Exports CRC (PhD Project)

Status:
Active

Start date:
April 2021

Completion date:
November 2026

Project summary description:
This project will focus on two elements of physiochemical processes:

• Initially, available technologies will be assessed, and process performance-based models will be validated to determine comparative cost benefits,
• The second element will research the deployability of hybrid renewable energy plants at two different scales: neighbourhood and industrial

The first research question will be answered by measurement of real time reliability, safety, operability and performance data on the H2Xport pilot plant configured in different ways using the available technologies.  Existing process performance-based models will be validated with the measured data and computational models will be advanced to include reliability, safety and operability. Other technologies will be assessed and included in the developed model to determine comparative cost benefits. The H2Xport Pilot plant operating data will be analysed to detect early signs of equipment failure in order to take key decisions on designing for redundancy, a critical spares and maintenance philosophy and optimal operating parameters. A key objective will be to minimize both Opex and Capex for the facility and for scale-up of equivalent facilities. The option of a machine learning algorithm to optimise or target key operational practices will be considered as part of a modelling protocol. Finally, process and cost modelling will be used to identify cost reduction pathways and to demonstrate viability of producing hydrogen at a levelized cost of under AUD$2/kg at scale.

The second research question will be answered by assessment of the deployability of hybrid renewable energy plants at two different scales: neighbourhood and industrial. For neighbourhood scale, this analysis will be based on deployment as energy hubs co-located within the local and urban communities to service their needs for electric power and hydrogen. At an industrial scale, a similar analysis will be undertaken for facilities co-located within the seven hydrogen export hubs being currently proposed for Australia.

Further information:
https://www.fenex.org.au/connect/

 

September 2024