Woodside collaborates to support local hydrogen market

Woodside Energy, BGC and Centurion, with the support of the Western Australian Government, are advancing plans for 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$10 million Hydrogen Fuelled Transport Program. The Program 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 the delivery of hydrogen fuel at a globally competitive 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 2-megawatt 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 the production of 235 kilograms per day of hydrogen at the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth, with the potential to scale up to a targeted 800 kilograms 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 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.

Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill said the Hydrogen Refueller @H2Perth demonstrated Woodside’s support for the continued development of Western Australia’s hydrogen market.

BGC CEO Daniel Cooper said the initiative would be important to the future of mainstream hydrogen uptake in WA.

Centurion CEO, Justin Cardaci, 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.