Geelong New Energies Service Station Project

February 27th, 2024

Geelong New Energies Service Station Project

Viva Energy is to construct and operate a publicly accessible service station that offers hydrogen refuelling and electric vehicle recharging capacity for heavy fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Geelong, Victoria.

Main proponents:

Viva Energy Australia

 Main end-use classification:

Hydrogen mobility

 Status:

Under construction – a final investment decision has been achieved. Development approvals received and site establishment commenced. Detailed design completed and hydrogen equipment continues to arrive.

 Estimated cost:

AUD$61.2 million – includes the New Energies Service Station (renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure) and the deployment of up to 15 commercial hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Other involvement:

 

 Production details:

Site will incorporate a 2.5-megawatt (MW) PEM electrolyser with a generation capacity of up to 1,000 kilograms (kgs) hydrogen per day.

 Location:

Victoria, Australia

 Announced funding:

AUD$34 million – Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

AUD$1 million – Victorian Government – Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund

Project description

The New Energies Service Station will have the capability to dispense renewables-based hydrogen in commercial quantities and refuel a fleet of heavy FCEVs. The project includes a diverse group of industry partners: Toll Group, ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC), Cleanaway and Barwon Water, who have committed to seven of an initial fleet of up to 15 hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles that will be refuelled at the service station within the first two years. These FCEVs include road freight, public transport, municipal waste management, water treatment and general fleet.

The project is supported by a AUD$34 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program. The Victorian Government is also contributing AUD$1 million to the project via the Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund.

The New Energies Service Station is to be located on a part of the vacant land surrounding the Geelong Refinery, proximate to the Princes Highway, which is owned by Viva Energy.  The site will be within an existing industrial zone with access to electrical infrastructure and recycled water from the nearby Barwon Water Northern Water Plant.

The New Energies Service Station will incorporate a 2.5 MW PEM electrolyser along with hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing infrastructure. The renewables-based hydrogen is to be generated using (grid-based) renewable energy and recycled water sourced from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant and renewable electricity. The refuelling station will also include a 150kW electric vehicle charging facility.

ARENA’s funding incorporates:

  • Support for the development and construction of Viva Energy’s service station, renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure.
  • Subsidisation of the purchase and operation of up to 15 hydrogen heavy FCEVs.

The New Energies Service Station (renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure) and the deployment of up to 15 commercial hydrogen FCEVs is estimated to cost AUD$61.2 million.

Viva Energy has announced that foundation partners deploying vehicles in the first year of the project include:

  • Toll Group – hydrogen-powered prime mover/s deployed for the delivery of liquid fuels from Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery
  • ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia – two hydrogen-powered buses for use on Geelong city commuter bus routes
  • Cleanaway – two hydrogen-powered waste management vehicles for municipal waste collection in the Greater Geelong region
  • Barwon Water – one hydrogen-powered prime mover for the collection of organic waste for recycling

Viva Energy is in discussions with a number of other potential partners and hydrogen vehicle manufacturers regarding purchase and delivery of the remaining vehicles.

The site is expected to begin construction in Q1 2024. Commissioning is expected in Q3 2024.

In July 2022:

  • Air Liquide announced that it would supply Viva Energy Australia with a hydrogen refuelling station for its Geelong project.
  • NEL announced that it would be supplying Viva Energy Australia with the 2.5 MW (PEM) electrolyser.

More information about the project can be found at: https://www.vivaenergy.com.au/energy-hub/new-energies-service-station-project

 

Updated: February 2024