Prospective hydrogen production regions of Australia

R&D Focus Areas:
Whole supply chain, Hydrogen market development

Lead Organisation:
Geoscience Australia

Partners:
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

Status:
Completed

Start date:
May 2019

Completion date:
October 2019

Key contacts:
Lead Investigator: Dr. Andrew Feitz: andrew.feitz@ga.gov.au
Co-author: Dr. Eric Tenthorey: eric.tenthorey@ga.gov.au

Funding:
Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Project total cost:
Not applicable

Project summary description:
Geoscience Australia was commissioned by the National Hydrogen Taskforce to develop maps to show areas with high potential for future hydrogen production. The mapping study considered hydrogen production via electrolysis using renewable energy sources, as well as fossil fuel-derived hydrogen coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The maps presented in the study were synthesized from the key individual national-scale datasets relevant for hydrogen production. In the case of hydrogen from electrolysis, renewable energy potential (from wind, solar and hydro resources) and the availability of water were the most important factors, while various infrastructure considerations also played a role. In the case of hydrogen produced from fossil fuels with CCS, proximity to gas pipelines and coal resources, water and availability of carbon storage sites were the important parameters that controlled the spatial distribution of potential hydrogen production.

In the report, five different scenarios are presented, that reflect key differences in technologies for hydrogen production and the requirements of those technologies:

• Three scenarios explore the future potential for renewable hydrogen produced by electrolysis. These demonstrate a high potential for hydrogen production in the future near many Australian coastal areas, which is even larger if infrastructure is available to transport renewable power generated from inland areas to the coast. Results also show significant future potential for hydrogen production in inland areas where water is available.

• Two further scenarios focus on the future potential for hydrogen from gas and coal: a 2030 scenario and a 2050 scenario. A key factor in future hydrogen from fossil fuels is related to the timeframes for the availability of geological storage resources for CO₂.

The report shows the importance of additional infrastructure and technology development to unlock Australia’s hydrogen resource potential. Many areas may only become suitable if additional infrastructure investments can improve connection between the coast and inland areas that possess efficient renewable energy potential. The development of further geological storage sites and the CCS industry in general will be required to enable the rapid acceleration of hydrogen from fossil fuels with CCS.

Related publications and key links:
Feitz, A.J., Tenthorey, E., Coghlan, R.A. 2019. Prospective hydrogen production regions of Australia. Record 2019/15. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. http://dx.doi.org/10.11636/Record.2019.015

Higher degree studies supported:
Not applicable

 

Reviewed: August 2023