Hydrogen News from Asian Countries & Australia
Sinopec to build China west-to-east green hydrogen transmission pipeline
China’s Sinopec (600028.SS), will build a pipeline to transfer hydrogen from renewable energy projects in China’s northwestern Inner Mongolia region to cities in its east, according to a report in state media outlet Xinhua on Monday.The pipeline will stretch 400km from Ulanqab in sparsely populated Inner Mongolia to the capital Beijing, and will have an initial capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year, said the report, citing Sinopec chairman Ma Yongsheng.
China Energy To Begin Construction Of Egypt’s $5.1 Billion Green Hydrogen Plant
According to a cabinet declaration, China Energy will begin construction of Egypt’s $5.1 billion hydrogen project next May.
Prepare for lift-off | Why 2023 will be the year that green hydrogen moves from idea to reality around the world
Government subsidy schemes are due to begin this year in the US, EU, UK, Germany, and probably Canada, India and Portugal, all but guaranteeing profitability for renewable H2 projects. The next 12 months will transform the global green hydrogen industry from a much-discussed idea to large-scale reality, with a wave of government subsidy schemes entering into force that will virtually guarantee profitability for renewable H2 projects.
New electrolyzer to split saltwater into hydrogen
Chinese scientists have developed a new way to split seawater into hydrogen without using a separate desalination process. They incorporated a self-breathable waterproof membrane and a self-dampening electrolyte (SDE) into the electrolyzer, so water migrates from the seawater across the membrane to the SDE, without extra energy consumption.
Researchers from Shenzhen University and Nanjing Tech University in China have developed a seawater electrolysis system (SES) for the direct electrolysis of seawater, without side reactions or corrosion…The scientists shared their findings in “A membrane-based seawater electrolyser for hydrogen generation,” which was recently published in Nature.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/01/02/new-electrolyzer-to-split-saltwater-into-hydrogen/
Indian green hydrogen subsidies set to be about 90% lower than US tax credits: reports
The first tranches of support for both renewable H2 production and local electrolyser manufacturing are set to allocated by the end of June 2023, according to ‘top government official’
India earmarks 125GW of new renewable energy to power huge green hydrogen plans
Nation reveals power capacity figure as it approves initial $2.4bn to underpin incentives designed to spur five million tonnes of annual output.
Viewpoint: India’s green H2 push awaits clear roadmap
The Indian government has ambitious plans for the green hydrogen sector in 2023 and beyond. But its success will depend on a clear roadmap, with a focus on increasing investment and reducing production costs. Renewable firm Avaada Energy, producer Jindal Stainless and start-up Ocior Energy are some of the private-sector firms with Indian projects in the pipeline. Seven companies are planning to invest a total of 2.9 trillion rupees ($35.05bn) in green hydrogen and ammonia projects in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka.
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2406032-viewpoint-indias-green-h2-push-awaits-clear-roadmap
India: EIB backs green hydrogen deployment and joins India Hydrogen Alliance
- EIB and India Hydrogen Alliance to bring industry, investors and government agencies together on green hydrogen hubs and projects
- Indicative funding of €1 billion for large-scale projects in the public sector
- EIB working with the Indian government on a credit facility to provide critical public-sector investments supporting the development of the green hydrogen industry.
India seeks H2 bids
India will by May invite bids for subsidies for setting up green-hydrogen manufacturing and utilisation hubs, fertiliser and steel plants based on the fuel, and factories for making electrolysers, two government sources told Reuters. The bidding process is part of a first phase of a $2 billion incentive plan announced last week to boost use of green hydrogen to cut emissions and make India a major exporter in the field.
Japan plans to increase hydrogen supply by sixfold over next 17 years
Japanese company begins using hydrogen to produce carbon-neutral tyres in Fukushima
The H2 used at the plant is produced in three local towns and cities, including green hydrogen produced from solar power at the 10MW FH2R project in Namie Town, which was evacuated following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and known in Japan as a ghost town.
Japan Looks to Promote a Hydrogen Society
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s government plans to enact new laws to support the creation of a hydrogen supply chain.
https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/japan-looks-to-promote-a-hydrogen-society/
Demand from Japan, South Korea, prime Australia’s green hydrogen pump
Growing foreign interest and investment is expected to boost the development of green hydrogen projects down under. Australia’s government has introduced several initiatives to support the hydrogen industry with a goal of becoming a world leader in the market. For instance, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has provided funding of AUD 170.35m (USD 115.31m) to 44 hydrogen projects over the past 10 years, according to ARENA. The government’s goal is for hydrogen to be priced at less than AUD 2 per kg, well below the current price of AUD 4-6 per kg, and to develop an export supply chain based on green hydrogen.
Development of hydrogen projects has surged in Australia in recent years. At the moment, there are 16 live hydrogen greenfield projects in the country according to Infralogic data:
Australia is not the only market positioning itself to export green hydrogen. The Middle East is a key competitor, with many potential Asian developers looking to both markets, Allen said. For example, Korean steelmaker POSCO recently announced plans to expand investment in hydrogen production in both Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Everything you need to know about hydrogen in the clean energy transition
We’re talking about hydrogen – the most abundant element in the universe – and its potential as a cornerstone of the energy transition which is generating a lot of excitement in the energy industry and beyond. If you’re wondering why there’s so much hype about hydrogen lately, what it’s used for and its potential to help achieve climate goals, read on.
As part of the Net Zero Emissions Scenario 2021-2050, hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels could avoid up to 60 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions by mid-century – equivalent to 6% of total cumulative emissions reductions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Hydrogen demand from G7 members from 2020 to 2050. Image: IRENA.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/hydrogen-clean-energy-transition-2023/
First low-carbon ammonia shipment from Saudi Arabia to Japan
A first shipment of independently-certified low-carbon ammonia has been shipped from Saudi Arabia to Japan for use as fuel in power generation.
The ammonia was produced by SABIC Agri-Nutrients (SABIC AN) with feedstock from Aramco, and sold by Aramco Trading Company to the Fuji Oil Company (FOC). Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) was tasked with shipping the liquid to Japan, then the low-carbon ammonia was transported to the Sodegaura Refinery for use in co-fired power generation, with technical support provided by Japan Oil Engineering Co (JOE).
The ammonia is categorised as low-carbon because carbon dioxide (CO2) from the associated manufacturing process was captured and utilised in downstream applications.
https://www.h2-view.com/story/first-low-carbon-ammonia-shipment-from-saudi-arabia-to-japan/
Power auctions | Hydrogen-fired generation is ‘essential’ for meeting national emissions targets, says South Korea
Government plans to introduce world-first bidding markets for electrons produced from both dirty and clean H2. Hydrogen-fired power generation will be an “essential” part of South Korea’s plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050, according to the country’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Motie). South Korea made an “administrative pre-announcement” earlier this month that it will introduce a hydrogen power generation bidding market this year, with an initial focus on using grey hydrogen derived from unabated fossil fuels.
The first auction will be for a total of 1,300GWh of electricity produced from “general hydrogen” — the euphemism given for grey H2 — to be delivered in 2025, with a long-term contracts of at least ten years.
Further tenders will be held in 2024 for 1,300GWh from general hydrogen for delivery in 2026, as well as 3,500GWh from clean H2 in 2027; and in 2025, bidding will take place for another 1,300GWh from dirty hydrogen, and 3,000GWh from clean H2 in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Supply chain agreements
Domestic companies are collaborating in the development of a clean ammonia supply for use in clean power generation in the country. Manufacturer Samsung, conglomerates SK and Lotte, steelmaker Posco, and state-owned oil company KNOC agreed to co-operate in producing large volumes of clean ammonia overseas to supply South Korea’s west coast. State-owned utilities Korea South-East Power and Korea Western Power will then use the ammonia in clean power generation. South Korean chemical producer Lotte Fine Chemical last month announced it will import 50,000t of blue ammonia from Saudi Arabia by the end of this year. Lotte Chemical also signed a deal in October to develop supply chains for low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, eyeing production facilities in Australia and Chile.
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2389672-south-korea-outlines-hydrogen-roadmap-to-boost-industry
Hyundai Motor Participates in 2023 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar in US to Expand Cooperation in Hydrogen Energy and Mobility
The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck displayed at the seminar features a 180 kW fuel cell system and a 350 kW peak power motor. It can travel up to 450 miles (approximately 750 km) on a single charge of 68 kilograms of hydrogen.
Hyundai Motor plans to enter the North American commercial vehicle market with the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck launch in the first half of this year and continue to expand into global markets with its hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles.
2022 State of Hydrogen report reinforces Australia’s green hydrogen powerhouse potential (13 April 2023)
Today’s release of the annual State of Hydrogen report reinforces that Australia has the foundations to become a global leader in green hydrogen. The report illustrates local industry is advancing hydrogen as a chemical feedstock and for export to generate electricity, but there’s an urgent need to speed up priority pilot projects and hydrogen hubs to compete internationally – backing up the decision of state and territory Energy and Climate Ministers to refresh Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
Government invests $70 million into hydrogen industry
As part of Australia’s shift towards clean energy, the Federal Government is investing $70 million into the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville.
Australia’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen project commencement date se
Following the completion of Infinite Green Energy’s (IGE) acquisition of Perth’s Northam Solar Farm and signing of its first offtake contract, Australia’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen project is planned to commence production in the last quarter of 2024. The completion of the $8 million Northam deal, funded by debt and investor capital, will allow IGE to leverage the 11MW solar farm to produce four tonnes a day of renewable hydrogen via electrolysis.
The hydrogen output will initially power Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) truck fleets for several key back to base customers, with the first binding supply agreement signed in February 2023 with a Western Australian waste-to-energy refuge collection company.
Hydrogen Council welcomes National Hydrogen Strategy review
The Australian Hydrogen Council has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to lead a review of the National Hydrogen Strategy, responding to the local and global changes since 2019 and assisting Australia on its path to becoming a global hydrogen leader.
VIC project to supply hydrogen to Japan
The Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project, Australia’s most advanced clean hydrogen project, has selected its preferred hydrogen provider and entered the commercial demonstration phase with a commitment from the Japanese Government’s Green Innovation Fund. An Australian joint venture between Japanese organisations, J-Power and Sumitomo Corporation (JPSC JV), has been selected as the preferred hydrogen provider to Japan Suiso Energy (JSE). The project will produce 30,000t of clean hydrogen gas per year in Gippsland, Victoria and JSE will liquify the hydrogen for export to Japan.
ARENA’s $50M commitment to hydrogen and steel research
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has dedicated $50 million in funding for two research and development rounds focused on renewable hydrogen and low emissions iron and steel. Funding for successful research and development projects will be provided over two phases, with an initial laboratory-based research phase followed by a commercialisation phase aimed at scaling up and demonstrating research breakthroughs.
Provaris Energy launches floating hydrogen storage system
Australia’s Provaris Energy has today (April 19, 2023) launched a floating gaseous hydrogen storage solution, designed to hold 300 to 600 tonnes of hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of onshore infrastructure.
Dubbed H2Leo, the solution has already received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and is hoped to provide the global hydrogen industry with an energy efficient and cost-effective storage solution.
Targeted to cost $0.2-0.3m per tonne of hydrogen ($200-300/kg hydrogen) Provaris says H2Leo will make the storage system “significantly cheaper than onshore solutions.”
https://www.h2-view.com/story/provaris-energy-launches-floating-hydrogen-storage-system/
Australia hydrogen pipeline accounts for between $230-300bn of investment
Australia’s pipeline of over 100 hydrogen projects is worth around $230-300bn of potential investment and represents close to 40% of all global clean hydrogen project announcements, according to the 2022 State of Hydrogen Report.