14 minute read
Hydrogen
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
OPENS IN BRISBANE
Queensland’s future workforce will be primed to help transform the state into a global hydrogen superpower, with the opening of Australia’s first Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.
The Premier officially opened the $20 million vocational training centre in Beenleigh in November in partnership with the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre.
It’s one of four renewable and hydrogen training centres committed to by the Palaszczuk Government, which will see apprentices and trainees graduating with skills to meet the needs of our future energy system.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the centre would support more good job opportunities in Queensland’s growing hydrogen sector.
“Queensland is on track to becoming a global hydrogen heavyweight,” the Premier said.
“We recently announced our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which will drive our renewable energy transformation.
“This includes developing our hydrogen industry, which is expected to grow by $19 billion and create 4,350 jobs by 2040.
“We’re already on our way with 40 hydrogen projects happening across the state.
“And in November I was in Townsville to announce the North Queensland Super Hub, a partnership between Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and clean energy operator Windlab, who have plans to produce green hydrogen at an industrial scale.
“But to realise the full economic potential of our energy transformation, we need to invest in our workforce – and this new $20 million training centre does that.
“We want to deliver Queensland’s energy transformation with our own resources and our own people, which is why we are investing heavily in skills and training.”
Treasurer Cameron Dick said the energy transformation provided Queensland with a once-in-a-generation jobs opportunity.
“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will support 100,000 new jobs, the majority of which will be in regional Queensland,” the Treasurer said.
“Queensland has the natural resources, the ports, the workforce, and the skills to become a global leader in the emerging green hydrogen industry, which will be good for Queensland’s economy.”
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the new facility would leverage partnerships to help supercharge the hydrogen industry in Queensland by delivering a skilled workforce.
“This partnership demonstrates how working together with industry, unions, and government, we can deliver a world-class workforce in Queensland,” Minister de Brenni said.
“There are already 40 hydrogen projects happening across the state, and production is planned to scale up under our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“The training centre is the direct result of the strong collaboration that exists between the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre partners and the Palaszczuk Government.
“Working with PICAC means our government will ensure we can fast-track the development of the renewable hydrogen industry.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the centre would deliver hundreds of extra apprentices each year.
“The new world-class training centre includes specialised gas training equipment, lower carbon technology upgrades, roof-access work platforms, special hazards fire systems, and state-of- the-art training rooms,” Minister Farmer said.
“It will expand training capacity from 700 to 1100 apprenticeships and tradies per year, training workers in fire protection, fire control, plumbing, and hydrogen.
“It is vital these skills are developed by trainees and apprentices now, so that we have the workforce to deliver the projects we’ve already got, and the many more in the pipeline.”
Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Chief Executive Shayne La Combre said the centre was critical for the industry.
“This world-leading centre is a great example of industry working together to equip apprentices with the skills needed for jobs now and into the future,” Mr La Combre said.
“Never have the skills of those working in our energy industries been so critical to the economic future here in Queensland and Australia.”
“This centre will ensure apprentices and those working in the industry receive high-quality training to prepare them for jobs in new and emerging industries like hydrogen.”
Starting construction in February 2021, the project, led by Hutchinson Builders, committed to employ 70 apprentices and support a total of 100 jobs throughout construction, exceeding that target by employing over 110 apprentices.
The Palaszczuk Government’s hydrogen commitments: • $4.5 billion for the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund • $50 million to develop four state-of-the-art renewable and hydrogen training centres including: • $10.6 million is going towards building a hydrogen and renewable energy training facility at the Bohle Trade Training TAFE in Townsville. • $2 million to upgrade facilities at Gladstone State High School to prepare students for hydrogen jobs, and $4 million for an energy training and skills strategy. • $15 million to supercharge, coordinate, and further plan for renewable hydrogen hubs in key locations across the state
Federally funded hydrogen hubs: • $71.9 million for the development of a hydrogen hub in Townsville • $69 million that was confirmed for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub in Gladstone
For more information about the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Beenleigh, visit www.picac.edu.au/picac-beenleigh.
Stuart McConnell visited Hy Grove, a hydrogen house in the United Kingdom.
MPAQ VISITS THE HYDROGEN HOME
In September, MPAQ’s Technical Officer and Trainer Stuart McConnell visited the Hydrogen Home, Hy Grove, operated by Cadent at the Northern Gas Networks innovation site in Low Thornley, Gateshead in the United Kingdom.
Hy Grove is two semi-detached homes built in partnership between Cadent and Northern Gas Networks and the government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to provide the public with the opportunity to experience a zero-emission gas-fuelled home of the future.
Unlike natural gas, which is responsible for over 30% of carbon emissions in the UK, hydrogen produces no carbon at the point of use.
The houses showcase 100 percent hydrogenfed appliances from leading manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch, Baxi, and Stoves.
Development and research into hydrogen have been ongoing for a number of years, which has led to the development of hydrogen gas meters.
Pietro Fiorentini has developed this H2-SSM smart meter capable of measuring both natural gas and 100 percent hydrogen. It is capable of switching between the two fuel types without any additional intervention.
The other gas meter featured at the Hydrogen House is from SIT Group. The Domusnext 2.0 MMU6 H2 is a residential meter that, once again, is 100 percent hydrogen compatible. This meter was the first in the world to obtain the Measuring Instrument Device (MID) certification.
Moving inside the Hydrogen Home, the kitchen is home to a boiler. This appliance provides central heating for the house by way of radiators in each room. It also supplies hot water by means of heating a mains-fed hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard.
One house has a Worcester Bosch boiler and the other one has a Baxi boiler. Both units were developed for the HY4HEAT scheme in the UK. Both boilers are able to be installed now using natural gas with the ability to change over to hydrogen once it is rolled out. These two appliances in the Hydrogen Home are working on 100 percent hydrogen. The switchover of gas types would involve swapping a few components and would need to be performed by a licensed gas technician.
The boilers are room-sealed, high-efficiency, condensing appliances. Flue gases are expelled at a low temperature. This is because much of the latent heat is recycled using a secondary heat exchange. Condensing gas appliances have been compulsory in the UK since 2003.
The Baxi boiler was slightly louder than the Worcester Bosch—it’s likely that there was not much soundproofing in this demonstration appliance. Both units heated the houses nicely, and you wouldn’t have known they were running on hydrogen gas.
The cooking facilities feature a hydrogen cooktop and hydrogen oven in one house and an all in one hydrogen stove in the other house.
One of the gas meters at the Hydrogen Home The Domusnext 2.0 MMU6 H2 pictured at the Hydrogen Home
Worcester Bosch boiler
Can you see the rear burner? You will notice the green LED lit up. A close-up of the flame. The flame is visible in the oven.
As hydrogen flames are nearly invisible, the appliances have been designed with certain colours to highlight the orange flame that is produced from hydrogen combustion.
The appliances also have green LEDs next to the control knobs that light up once a flame is present. This adds another safety feature to the cooktop. The cooktop ignites with a slightly louder pop, and there was a bit of condensation present until the splash back heated up—as you would expect when the product of combustion is water vapour!
The last appliance that is installed in the Hydrogen Home is a gas fire. This decorative space heater provides more of an ambience for a room rather than a heat source. Much like a natural gas equivalent, they will suffice to take the chill off a room, but they are more of a focal point in a lounge area.
This appliance was a Gazco Logic H2 and worked on a remote. It is a room-sealed gas appliance, meaning no further ventilation is required within the room.
You will notice in the picture that once the fire has been on for a couple of minutes, the coals will start to glow orange. The flames underneath were hardly visible.
I would like to thank Alexandra Brightman, the Hydrogen Home Coordinator from Northern Gas Networks for giving me the VIP treatment and showing me around the Low Thornley site, although, I didn’t see the onsite electrolyser as it has gone back to the producer for modifications and repairs. In the meantime, the site is running on bottled hydrogen that is delivered periodically.
The aim is to have the site running on a localised electrolyser producing green hydrogen powered by solar and wind power, showcasing entirely off-grid green hydrogen.
There is a lot happening at the Low Thornley site. I was given a sneak peek at the next phase, which is a series of five buildings that are all being built using old-fashioned building methods from the 1950s up to the 1990s. Although they are being built using modern materials, the structures will be built in the way they were constructed years ago. This way, tests can be carried out to make sure hydrogen is a viable source of heat in colder, less insulated houses.
The majority of the housing stock in the UK is of old construction, so it is very important to make sure hydrogen could be a viable option for older, inefficient houses.
The Hydrogen Home has proved that hydrogen is a viable option for new homes and developments, so the next step is to prove it is also the case for older houses. Visitors will soon be able to see houses like their own being heated by hydrogen gas.
It is really important to understand that hydrogen isn’t the golden ticket to Net Zero targets. All renewable energy sources will play their part. Some houses may utilise hydrogen gas, some may use heat pumps and electrification, and others may harness wind, solar, or wave power. All renewables will assist in the greater good to cut carbon emissions.
I applaud Cadent and Northern Gas Networks for commissioning the Hydrogen Home. The HY4HEAT scheme has also brought manufacturers together to produce these innovative appliances. Public awareness is so important when there is a possible change in gas type. Making sure the public is on side and confident with the technology is critical.
The looming energy crisis may well force consumers to take a closer look at where their energy is coming from.
Although the Hydrogen Home is in the United Kingdom, I would recommend anyone visiting the UK to drop in and have a look. It is booked out until early 2023 so plan your visit wisely!
Closer to home, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) in Beenleigh has opened its renewable hydrogen training facility. This state-ofthe-art facility is gearing up for the development and delivery of hydrogen training courses. These courses will allow gas fitters to get the necessary qualifications to work with hydrogen gas.
Baxi boiler
Article written by Stuart McConnell – EngTech (MIGEM) – Technical Officer, MPAQ
An artist’s impression of a PepsiCo branded hydrogen prime mover.
Picture: Pure Hydrogen
From 2023, PepsiCo Australia will trial a hydrogen fuelled heavy duty truck at one of its Brisbane manufacturing sites. The trial is in partnership with Pure Hydrogen, a company positioning itself as a supplier of both hydrogen powered vehicles via leasing arrangements, as well as hydrogen itself.
Pure Hydrogen is casting its net wider with a terms sheet reached with giant food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo for the trial of a hydrogen fuel cell prime mover.
Under the terms sheet, the company will supply PepsiCo with a hydrogen fuel cell 160kW 6x4 prime mover for use at one of the latter’s preferred delivery points in Brisbane from mid-2023.
Additionally, Pure Hydrogen (ASX:PH2) will provide additional hydrogen supply as required, including refuelling.
After the trial PepsiCo will determine if the prime mover has a commercial use-case, and they may order further hydrogen powered vehicles over the period 2023-25.
The trial is the latest in a number that Pure Hydrogen is undertaking – including its agreement for JJ Waste & Recycling to trial Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell refuse collection vehicle – as part of a broader market strategy to demonstrate the commercial use-case of affordable hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. With this also being done here in Southeast Queensland.
The truck will be supplied by BLK Auto under a Master Supply Agreement covering the distribution of trucks, buses, and storage pods for Asia Pacific and Africa for 10 years and exclusively for these trucks for a period of one year from the delivery of the trial truck.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a globally recognised and respected company such as PepsiCo, to commence trials for a prime mover vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells,” managing director Scott Brown said.
“This trial will further showcase the potential of Australia’s hydrogen energy markets – particularly for the commercial trucking industry, which relies heavily on existing fossil diesel. Pure Hydrogen is leading the way in providing use cases for hydrogen, covering many different uses including hydrogen generators, hydrogen utes, and now hydrogen trucks.
PepsiCo ANZ Sustainability Manager Brent Gapes said the company was excited to partner with Pure Hydrogen on a first for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
“This trial demonstrates our commitment to net zero emissions across our value chain by 2040 – a goal that forms an integral component of PepsiCo Positive, a sustainability framework for how we operate within planetary boundaries and inspire positive change for the planet and people,” he said.
“As one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia, we recognise we have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment and I look forward to working with Pure Hydrogen on how we can extend the trial further.”
To find out more, visit www.purehydrogen.com.au.
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