Together with the support of the Western Australian Government, the trio are advancing plans for a proposed self-contained hydrogen production, storage and refuelling station, located in the Rockingham Industry Zone.
The project was successful in the Expressions of Interest stage of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s A$10m ($6.97m) Hydrogen Fuelled Transport Program, which aims to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen fuelled transport, build local skills and capability, and stimulate local hydrogen production.
With matched funding from Woodside, the proposal targets delivery of hydrogen fuel at a price of A$11 per kilo and subsidises a number of large hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Named the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth, the project would be located adjacent to Woodside’s proposed H2Perth project, a proposed domestic and export-scale hydrogen and ammonia production facility.
The Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth aims to supply low cost, renewable hydrogen fuel for local customers; stimulate and enable hydrogen demand in Western Australia; and support State Government objectives for hydrogen to be a significant fuel source for transportation by 2030.
Hydrogen is proposed to be produced using a 2MW electrolyser, powered by renewable energy sourced from the South West Interconnected System. Production will be timed to occur during periods of excess solar in the grid and stored on-site. Where needed, Woodside will also use Renewable Energy Certificates.
Initially, Woodside is targeting production of 235 kg per day of hydrogen at the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth, with the potential to scale up to a targeted 800 kg per day.
Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth will be available to industrial customers, as well as the public. Through the Program, hydrogen is targeted to be made available at a globally competitive price of A$11 ($7.68) per kilogram for a 10-year period.
Woodside has signed conditional, non-binding offtake Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), stating its intention to supply hydrogen from Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth to BGC, which intends to buy and operate five to ten hydrogen concrete agitator trucks; and Centurion, which intends to buy and operate two hydrogen prime movers.
It is envisaged the grant will support BGC and Centurion with purchasing the vehicles to replace large diesel trucks currently in use. Woodside also proposes to lease a small fleet of Hyundai Nexo vehicles which are to be refuelled at the facility.
The grant will also support Woodside’s operation of the facility to be able to offer hydrogen at the targeted price.
Meg O’Neill, CEO of Woodside Energy, said the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth demonstrated Woodside’s support for the continued development of Western Australia’s hydrogen market.
She said the proposed refuelling facility would deliver on our commitment to make low cost, lower-carbon hydrogen- based energy available to local customers, while also progressing export opportunities such as H2Perth.
“We don’t just need new sources of energy, we need an entirely new and integrated supply chain for successful energy transition.” she added.
Daniel Cooper, CEO of BGC, said the initiative would be important to the future of mainstream hydrogen uptake in WA.
“BGC welcomes the opportunity to work with Woodside, Centurion and the State Government to progress the energy innovations needed to keep our industries powered into the future.
“We look forward to assessing the performance of these vehicles and sharing our learnings broadly to build the case for wider deployment.”
Justin Cardaci, CEO of Centurion, said that as one of Australia’s largest independently owned and operated logistics and transport companies, it was crucial for the company to support the development of transport sector related technology.
“Transport and logistics is an emissions intensive sector and it is incumbent on businesses like ours to actively participate in the energy transition and the journey towards a net-zero emissions future”, he said.
“The investment by the WA Government and Woodside in hydrogen refuelling technology is a material step for companies like ours to accelerate the use of renewable fuel in the transport sector to transition its sustainability pathway.”
Woodside will continue to progress design work and engagement with relevant regulatory bodies. Subject to necessary commercial arrangements and regulatory approvals, including securing land tenure, Woodside is targeting start-up at the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth in 2024.
Western Australia is becoming a hive of activity with hydrogen and renewable energy.
bp has bought a 40.5% equity stake in and to become operator of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), which has the potential to be one of the largest renewables and green hydrogen hubs in the world.
Based on the development of world-scale renewable power generation, AREH, in the Pilbara region, intends to supply renewable power to local customers in the largest mining region in the world and also produce green hydrogen and green ammonia for the domestic Australian market and export to major international users.