Findings shared from Australia's first hydrogen microgrid
- Report released on country's first renewable hydrogen microgrid at Denham
- Public Knowledge Report to guide future opportunities for renewable hydrogen
- WA Labor Government invested $5.7 million towards the project
The Cook Government has today released a Public Knowledge Sharing Report on the Denham Renewable Hydrogen Microgrid - the first of its kind in Australia.
The project, which is now fully operational, includes a 704-kilowatt solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell located in Denham, providing an innovative alternative to diesel generators. It is expected to offset 140,000 litres of diesel each year.
The unique integration of renewable energy and hydrogen components sets the project apart from others in Australia.
The Public Knowledge Sharing Report released today will help to advance learnings in technology, costs, regulatory requirements as well as the community sentiment around using hydrogen as a fuel source.
It will be used to determine how hydrogen technology can be applied in other remote microgrids.
The project was funded by the Western Australian Labor Government, including through the Renewable Hydrogen Fund and Horizon Power, and ARENA's Advancing Renewables Program.
For more information see: Horizon Power - Denham Hydrogen Demonstration Plant.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"I want to see WA become a renewable energy powerhouse, and hydrogen will have an important role to play in our clean energy future.
"This innovative project helps to reduce our reliance on diesel in remote areas, delivering cleaner, affordable and reliable power for Denham.
"The knowledge we've gained through this pilot project will help to guide future remote uses of renewable hydrogen across WA and the rest of the nation."
Comments attributed to Acting Energy Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"This report confirms the great opportunity for hydrogen to play a role in our State's energy transition.
"As we retire State-owned coal-fired power and embrace renewable energy, hydrogen could play a key role in powering our State while creating jobs and business opportunities through new export markets.
"By displacing diesel with hydrogen in Denham, our Government has also demonstrated how this technology could specifically benefit regional communities that are connected to microgrids."