Central Queensland hydrogen project
Phil Richardson A and Antony Wauchope B *A Stanwell Corporation, Level 2, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
B Advisian Pty Ltd, Level 31, 12 Creek Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 S169-S172 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21152
Accepted: 4 April 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Renewable hydrogen is being heavily promoted around the world for energy storage, and to support the decarbonisation of energy systems. Queensland is well placed for hydrogen export to Asia and is actively working to make this a reality. Stanwell Corporation, together with its project partners Iwatani, APA Group, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Marubeni and Kansai Electric Power Company, is working to develop a commercial world-scale project to produce and export hydrogen from Gladstone to Japan, supporting Japan’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment. The size of the hydrogen production system (3 GW) is significant and as a first of a kind in Queensland raises several technical, regulatory and social challenges. To highlight the scale of the project, the renewable power generation to be installed to support this project will have a capacity equivalent to the current Queensland daily power demand. There are several challenges, one being that solar and wind energy resources by their nature are variable. Identifying and defining the mix of renewable energy to achieve a reliable power supply, and integrating this with the electrolyser systems, will be key to the success of the project. The upgrades required to existing power transmission infrastructure are significant, while additional water supply in the Gladstone region will be required. Finally, recent developments in Gladstone have created a boom–bust cycle and the social acceptance of this development requires ongoing engagement to address community concerns.
Keywords: electrolyser, export, Gladstone, green, hydrogen, liquefied, optimisation, renewable, stakeholder, water.
Phil Richardson has 15 years’ experience in developing strategy, commercial projects and economic policy, with a focus on the energy sector. As the General Manager of New Energy Projects, Phil is delivering a range of renewable energy, energy storage and hydrogen projects to support Stanwell’s portfolio transformation. Previously Phil held roles in the Queensland Government, including General Manager Renewable Energy and Energy Pricing and Director Economic Policy in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. In 2008, Phil spent a year working in the Pacific Islands with the United Nations Development Programme. Phil holds a Master of International Economics and Finance, Master of Governance and Public Policy and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. |
Antony Wauchope is the APAC Managing Consultant for Advisian’s Upstream & Midstream practice. His industry experience includes leading and delivering conceptual, FEED and detailed design for projects involving oil and gas production facilities and pipelines in upstream and midstream developments for unconventional, onshore and offshore resources as well as green hydrogen production and export. Antony has over 35 years’ experience in process engineering as well as project and business management. He has held senior roles in technical and operations management, business development as well as having plant operations, design and commissioning experience. |
