Hydrogen Microgrid Project (Renamed Project)
Hydrogen Microgrid Project
This project would supply renewables-based hydrogen to support a hydrogen powered bus trial in Hobart as well as supporting various research and development uses.
| Main proponents:
Blue Economy CRC |
Main end-use classification:
Mobility, Research and development |
Status:
Under construction – operations anticipated in 2024 |
Estimated cost:
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| Other involvement:
BOC, Metro Tasmania, ReCFIT, OPTIMAL, pitt&sherry, Griffith University, University of Tasmania, Hydro Tasmania |
Production details:
Phase 1: Onshore – 262 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen per day capacity (700 kW PEM electrolyser) |
Location:
Tasmania, Australia |
Announced funding:
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Project description
(This project was previously titled “Hydrogen Microgrid and Mobility Project’.)
The Blue Economy CRC (“CRC”) owned 700-kW PEM electrolyser is a key component of its hydrogen microgrid project, which is being carried out in two Phases.
Phase 1: Onshore – supply renewables-based hydrogen for Metro Tasmania’s hydrogen fuel cell bus trial and to support research into the operation of DC (Direct Current) microgrids.
In May 2022, the Tasmanian Government announced that Metro Tasmania was to conduct separate operational trials involving three battery electric buses in Launceston and three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in Hobart, for up to three years. More information on the zero-emission bus trial can be found on the Metro Tasmania website. The Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund allocated AUD$11.3 million to the hydrogen electric bus trial.
For the latter (R&D) purpose, the microgrid also incorporates a programmable electricity source that can emulate, for example, a wind turbine or wave energy converter, and a programmable load that can emulate the electrical load profile of applications such as an aquaculture site, vessel operations, island communities or remote areas like Antarctica.
Phase 2: Offshore – foresees a hydrogen microgrid built at an offshore location (to be determined) incorporating an aquaculture design with oxygen (a co-product of electrolysis of water) supplied for use in aquaculture and hydrogen supplied for powering vessels.
The CRC advises that the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has provided the CRC a response early-2023, based on its submitted Development Application, that it did not need to assess the activity (Level 2) under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA). In June 2023, the CRC announced that the Glenorchy City Council had advertised a Planning Permit Application for a hydrogen microgrid project at the BOC gases site in Lutana. The CRC advises that it received notification in July 2023 that the Planning Authority had granted the planning permit.
In addition, the CRC advises that:
- BOC Limited’s Regulation 547 Major Hazard Facility (MHF) notification was reviewed by WorkSafe Tasmania in January 2024 and the regulator decided not to determine the facility a MHF.
- It has received provisional approval of its safety case (23 August 2024) by the Regulators (Dept of Justice, CBOS and Work Safe Tasmania).
- It has received final plumbing permits from Glenorchy City Council (13 September 2024) and Tas Water (8 October 2024), following information provided on commencement of the construction.
Reviewed (reviewed by the project proponent): November 2024