Geelong New Energies Service Station Project

June 1st, 2023

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 and purchase orders placed for electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling systems. Detailed design and approvals processes are progressing.

 Estimated cost:

AUD$43.3 million – includes the New Energies Service Station (renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure) and the deployment of 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$22.8 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 green 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 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.

At the beginning of March 2022, it was announced that the project received a AUD$22.8 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program. The Victorian Government also announced in January 2022 that it would contribute 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 buffer 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 green 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 announcement 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 15 hydrogen heavy FCEVs.

The New Energies Service Station (renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure) and the deployment of 15 commercial hydrogen FCEVs is estimated to cost AUD$43.3 million.

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

  • Toll Group – two hydrogen-powered prime movers 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.

Subject to Board and regulatory approvals, the site is expected to begin construction in late 2023. Commissioning is expected in 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: August 2023