Hydrogen Launceston Project

Hydrogen Launceston Project

This project, located in northern Tasmania at Western Junction, is planning to supply renewable hydrogen to the domestic market throughout the north of the State.

Main proponents: Countrywide  Hydrogen Pty Ltd, Launceston Airport, Western Junction	Main end-use classification: Domestic use, including mobility and gas blending uses	Status: Under development – a final investment decision is targeted for the first half of 2024	Estimated cost: AUD$40 million (excluding power generation)
Other involvement:	Production details: 5-megawatt (MW) electrolyser capacity with hydrogen production capacity of 2.1 tonnes per day with refueller under the brand H2Co Energy	Location: Tasmania, Australia	Announced funding:

Project description

The Hydrogen Launceston Project would supply renewables-based hydrogen to the domestic market throughout the north of the State. As a five (5) MW electrolyser project powered by hydro and wind power, it would be located at Western Junction, the site of the Launceston Airport and TRANSlink, a Federally funded intermodal development.

The hydrogen would be produced via electrolysis with renewable power planned to be initially sourced from the State’s grid, with subsequent supply from behind-the-meter solar and power purchase agreements from wind, solar and hydro operators. Water would be supplied from TasWater’s network.

The main domestic offtake opportunities lie in mobility applications and blending hydrogen with natural gas in collaboration with Tas Gas, with future potential supply to local industry.

The project is currently in discussion with TasNetworks regarding the upgrade required to the Western Junction grid in collaboration with other interested parties.

In support of the proposed mobility applications, the project would have refuelling station facilities that would be owned and operated by Countrywide Hydrogen under the company’s refuelling brand H2Co Energy.

A connection flange to the Tas Gas network is planned as part of the project, allowing the injection of hydrogen into the Tas Gas network and future supply to local industry.

The project is currently (as of February 2024) in discussion with TasNetworks regarding the upgrade required to the Western Junction grid in collaboration with other interested parties.

In July 2023, ReNu Energy (the parent company of Countrywide Hydrogen) announced several milestone points in project progression:

• Wood and Countrywide Hydrogen have completed the selection of the technology, preferred suppliers, basic design, and capital cost estimates for the project.
• Plug Power Inc. has been selected as the supplier of a 5 MW PEM electrolyser, designed for up to 2,100 kilograms of hydrogen production.
• Fabrum Solutions Limited has been selected as the supplier of the hydrogen refuelling station, comprising a refueller hub and hydrogen tube trailer storage system.
• Wasco (Australia) Pty Ltd has been selected as the construction contractor to work with Fabrum on the construction and balance of works for the project.

The project proponent has advised that the project is finalising Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) studies. Countrywide Hydrogen anticipates a final investment decision (FID) in the first half of 2024, subject to finalisation of FID requirements and project finance requirements. On this basis, commercial operations would be anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2025 or early 2026 depending on equipment delivery.

The electrolyser element of the project is designed to allow for the installation of a second 5 MW electrolyser if demand were to exceed two tonnes of hydrogen per day.

 

Updated: February 2024