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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Hydrogen and carbon capture utilisation and storage policy for progress on climate change mitigation

Thomas Koller A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A DNV, Perth, WA, Australia.




Dr Thomas Koller is the Hydrogen and CCUS Regional Lead, APAC for DNV, advising on the energy transition and the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen and related technologies. He has a background in policy development, regulation, and law with experience from the UK, Europe and Australia. Thomas is passionate about accelerated action to combat climate change having worked in both the public and private sector to bring about transformative change. Prior to joining DNV, Thomas designed and directed the ‘Gas Goes Green’ strategic decarbonisation project for the regulated gas networks in the UK. He previously worked in the biomethane sector advising on green gas generation incentives, accreditation, certification, and policy. He has a Master’s in international law and a PhD in international environmental law. Thomas is based in Perth, Australia and works across Asia-Pacific.

* Correspondence to: Thomas.Koller@dnv.com

Australian Energy Producers Journal 64 S166-S169 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP23073
Accepted: 27 February 2024  Published: 16 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

This paper highlights the need for Australia to enhance its climate change policies, arguing that the introduction of Contracts for Difference (CfD) policy mechanisms is an appropriate successor to Hydrogen Headstart and would support the development of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) industries. CfDs are financial agreements designed to provide price certainty, support investment, and bridge the cost gap between new and established technologies. With explanation of different CfD structures and examples from other countries the paper argues that implementing CfDs could attract investors, provide confidence to the sector, and ultimately help Australia meet its climate change obligations.

Keywords: carbon capture utilisation and storage, CCUS, climate change, emissions reduction, hydrogen, hydrogen strategy, incentives, mandates, new technology, policy, taxation.

Biographies

EP23073_B1.gif

Dr Thomas Koller is the Hydrogen and CCUS Regional Lead, APAC for DNV, advising on the energy transition and the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen and related technologies. He has a background in policy development, regulation, and law with experience from the UK, Europe and Australia. Thomas is passionate about accelerated action to combat climate change having worked in both the public and private sector to bring about transformative change. Prior to joining DNV, Thomas designed and directed the ‘Gas Goes Green’ strategic decarbonisation project for the regulated gas networks in the UK. He previously worked in the biomethane sector advising on green gas generation incentives, accreditation, certification, and policy. He has a Master’s in international law and a PhD in international environmental law. Thomas is based in Perth, Australia and works across Asia-Pacific.

References

Climate Action Tracker (2023) Australia. Available at https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/australia/

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council Hydrogen Working Group (2019) Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. Available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australias-national-hydrogen-strategy.pdf

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero UK (2023) Design of a business model for low carbon hydrogen. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-of-a-business-model-for-low-carbon-hydrogen

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) (2021) Funding available for clean hydrogen industrial hubs. Available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/funding-available-for-clean-hydrogen-industrial-hubs

DCCEEW (2024) Hydrogen Headstart program. Available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/hydrogen/hydrogen-headstart-program

DNV (2022) Hydrogen Forecast to 2050. Available at https://www.dnv.com/focus-areas/hydrogen/hydrogen-forecast-to-2050/

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Germany (2023) Climate protection agreements funding program. Available at https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Klimaschutz/klimaschutzvertraege.html

Hydrogen Insight (2023) Netherlands plans green hydrogen import auction by early 2024, backed by €300m of subsidies. Available at https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/policy/netherlands-plans-green-hydrogen-import-auction-by-early-2024-backed-by-300m-of-subsidies/2-1-1435546

Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Austria (2023) Transformation of the industry call for tenders May 2023. Available at https://www.umweltfoerderung.at/betriebe/transformation-der-industrie-1-2023/transformation-der-industrie

Ministry of Ecological Transition France (2023) Consultation on the support mechanism for the production of carbon-free hydrogen. Available at https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/consultation-sur-mecanisme-soutien-production-dhydrogene-decarbone

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Japan (2023) Outline of the Basic Policy for the Realization of GX (Green Transformation). Available at https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2023/pdf/0210_003b.pdf