The Tasmanian Government has released its Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan outlining the state’s vision to become a world leader in large-scale renewable hydrogen production by 2030.
Globally, Australia’s hydrogen export market is estimated to rise to between $2.6 billion and $13.4 billion by 2040.
With future wind farm and pumped-hydro developments alongside the Battery of the Nation and Marinus second interconnector projects, Tasmania is well placed to be a major producer of renewable hydrogen long-term.
Reports show a 1,000MW facility – equivalent to supplying around 1 million homes – could be feasible by 2030, creating an estimated 1,200 regional jobs, and supporting a further 2,000MW of renewable energy investment in Tasmania.
Renewable hydrogen production in Tasmania could be up to 15 per cent cheaper to produce than from the mainland power grid, and up to 30 per cent cheaper to produce than from dedicated off-grid renewable sources.
With emerging industries in Japan, South Korea and China, Tasmania has received significant interest from a range of proponents seeking emissions-free hydrogen at competitive rates. The Tasmanian Government has recently hosted a range of proponents and international consortiums to progress discussions.
Chief Executive Officer of Energy Networks Australia, Andrew Dillon, said hydrogen would play an important role in the sustainable energy future.
“Hydrogen can be produced from excess renewable power, providing clean energy that can be stored for when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind isn’t blowing,” Mr Dillon said.
“As the energy sector continues to decarbonise and intermittent renewable generation increases, this storage capacity means hydrogen can play an important role in stabilising our energy system.
“Hydrogen technology is already being embraced around the world for domestic and commercial use in gas networks and to fuel passenger and freight trains.”
Mr Dillon said trials of hydrogen production, hydrogen blending into existing networks or exports were underway in every Australian state, with Tasmania’s strategy the latest addition.
“Energy networks are using renewable gases such as hydrogen made from solar and wind power to decarbonise our gas networks,” Mr Dillon said.
A recent update to Gas Vision 2050, released by Energy Networks Australia and the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association, showed that more than $180 million of funding had been committed nationally for hydrogen infrastructure projects.
Energy Networks Australia has previously released research confirming that the injection of hydrogen into Australian gas distribution networks can be done under current gas legislation.
