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Hydrogen storage and distribution

Sir Samuel Griffith Centre

Sir Samuel Griffith Centre

Project Category

  • Storage
  • Translational Research

Description

The Sir Samuel Griffith Centre is a 6-green star, 6000-m2 teaching and research building designed to operate independently of the electricity grid and generate zero carbon emissions in operation. The Centre is powered by a 376-kW solar array, with energy stored in a battery and as hydrogen able to power the building for several days of zero sunshine.

Hydrogen is generated by a 200-kW (peak) alkaline electrolyser and stored in solid form as metal hydride (storage capacity - 120 kg of hydrogen), at near-ambient temperature and pressure.

Main proponents

  • Griffith University

Funding

Education Infrastructure Fund, Griffith University, Queensland Government

Status

Operational since 2013. Currently undergoing upgrades to the inverters, battery and fuel cells.

More information

e.gray@griffith.edu.au

Chalk River, Ontario, Canada

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories H2 Infrastructure Project

Project Category

  • Storage and Distribution
  • Translational Research

Description

This project seeks to:

  1. Deduce potential for national hydrogen and CO2 distribution/storage infrastructure for many future fuels,
  2. Identify technologies involved in this infrastructure, which will be quite different to the current natural gas infrastructure,
  3. To effectively assess such infrastructure for the timeframe of 2050 and beyond, and
  4. Determine regional influences and features that will impact some of the infrastructure planning.

The details are being compiled into a proprietary infrastructure planning tool for exploitation by the industry and planning teams in government. 

Main proponents

  • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)
  • Hydrogen Technologies Branch

Funding

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd's Federal Science and Technology Program (executed by CNL)

Status

On-going, multi-year project.

More information

nirmal.gnanapragasam@cnl.ca

Latrobe Valley, Victoria

Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC)

Project Category

  • Distribution
  • Demonstration

Description

The purpose of this pilot project is to demonstrate an integrated hydrogen supply chain encompassing production, storage and transportation in delivering liquefied hydrogen to Japan. The pilot project integrates coal gasification and gas-refining, hydrogen gas transportation and liquefaction, liquefied hydrogen storage and loading, shipbuilding and operation of a specialised liquefied hydrogen carrier.

Key elements of the HESC pilot project include:

  • the hydrogen gas will be transported in a high-pressure road tube trailer to pilot hydrogen liquefaction and loading facilities under construction at BlueScope’s existing industrial site at nearby Western Port (Port of Hastings).
  • the hydrogen will be liquefied at the Port of Hastings, loaded and shipped to Kobe, in Japan, by a specially developed hydrogen marine carrier built by KHI, the Suiso Frontier.
  • the liquefied hydrogen will be unloaded and stored at Kobe in Japan

Main proponents

  • Hydrogen Engineering Australia
  • KHI
  • J-Power
  • Iwatani
  • Marubeni
  • AGL
  • Sumitomo

Funding

Japan Suiso Energy (JSE) confirmed it had chosen to allocate the Japanese Government’s Green Innovation Fund (GIF) grant of ¥220 billion Japanese Yen (approximately AU$2.35 billion) to the commercial demonstration phase.

Status

Hydrogen production from the coal gasification began in January 2021. In December 2021, the Suiso Frontier had left Japan to pick up its first cargo of liquefied hydrogen in Australia. The carrier arrived in Australia on 21 January 2022 to begin loading for the return journey to January 2022, the Suiso Frontier left Hastings with its cargo of 2.6 tonnes of liquid hydrogen which (in February 2022) was unloaded at the receiving terminal in the port of Kobe, Japan. This marked the completion of the HESC Pilot Project. The Suiso Frontier is the world’s first marine carrier to transport liquid hydrogen. It is approximately 116 metres long and 19 metres wide and will use a cryogenic storage tank with vacuum insulation to contain 88 tonnes of liquid hydrogen. Installation of the storage tank occurred in March 2020 and the carrier underwent operational testing successfully in the coastal waters of Japan in October 2020. A completion of pilot project report has been published by the project.

More information

info@hydrogensupplychain.com

Markham - Ontario

Enbridge P2G and Hydrogen Blending Project

Project Category

  • Storage
  • Demonstration

Description

The Enbridge Power-to-Gas (P2G) facility began operations in Markham, Ontario in July 2018. A 2.5 MW PEM electrolyzer from Hydrogenics was installed under contract to the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to help balance electricity supply and demand and ensure system reliability. The electrolyzer converts surplus renewable energy to hydrogen, which can be stored and then used with a fuel cell to supplement the energy supply when demand is high. The electrolyzer can produce up to 1 tonne/day of hydrogen and the plant has 8MW of on-site hydrogen storage. In 2020, Enbridge received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to begin construction of a hydrogen blending unit co-located with the P2G facility, with hydrogen being blended into Enbridge’s natural gas system to reduce the carbon intensity of the natural gas delivered.

Main proponents

Enbridge, Cummins Inc

Funding

Supported by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) with a $5.2 million funding award.

Status

The blending facility began operations in January 2022, with hydrogen being blended into Enbridge’s natural gas system to reduce the carbon intensity of the natural gas delivered to 3,600 customers in the Markham community. Up to 2% of hydrogen by volume is being blended into the natural gas system, reducing GHG emissions by an estimated 117 tCO2/yr. A project, located in Gatineau, QC, is scheduled for online service in 2024 with up to 15% hydrogen serving 43,000 customers. Hydrogen will be a 20-MW electrolyzer (green-H2).

More information

webmaster-corp@enbridge.com

Nunavik, Quebec

Raglan Nickel Mine – Phase I, II – Wind turbines and hydrogen storage for remote power generation

Project Category

  • Storage
  • Demonstration

Description

At the Raglan Nickel Mine in Nunavik, Quebec, hydrogen is used as an energy storage solution to reduce diesel consumption. During Phase I and II (2015, 2018) of the project, two wind turbines (6MW) were installed and combined with a 3-tiered energy storage system. A 315kW electrolyzer converts excess renewable energy supply into hydrogen for storage. A micro-grid controller manages the supply and demand, producing a smooth power output using a flywheel and battery combination to filter out large wind variations. A 200kW fuel cell fueled by the stored hydrogen or a diesel generator is used for backup power when needed.

Main proponents

  • TUGLIQ Energy Co

Funding

Combined project investment: $40 million. Government funding of $18.9 million from NRCan’s ecoEnergy Innovation Initiative, Energy Innovation Program (EIP), and Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) programs.

Status

Phase 1 and 2 were completed by 2018.

More information

info@tugliq.com

Ottawa-Ontario

Modeling TEA and LCA of CCUS-H2 Production Purification and Transportation

Project Category

  • Storage and Distribution
  • Translational Research

Description

The Blue-H2 project seeks to identify the lowest cost and lowest environmental impact pathways for blue H2 production. Optimized H2 transportation networks including pipelines, ships (including ammonia), and rail transport will be developed and modelled connecting both H2 and CO2 sources with H2 and CO2 user and storage reservoirs.

Main proponents

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canmet ENERGY Ottawa and Verennes, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Funding

Supported and funded by NRCan's Office of Energy Research and Development. Starting in April 2023, NRCan will be providing $2.9 million in funding over 5 years.

Status

Official start of new project in April 2023. Previous project activities include process simulation and TEA of CCUS-H2 production across Canada. 

More information

robert.symonds@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

Pilbara-Western Australia

Yuri renewable hydrogen to ammonia project

Project Category

  • Storage
  • Demonstration

Description

This project seeks to produce green ammonia by replacing the hydrogen produced through the SMR process by hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by onsite solar PV. Ammonia is a promising way to store and transport hydrogen.

In the first phase of the project a 10 MW electrolyser will produce up to 640 tonnes of hydrogen per year. This hydrogen will be a zero-carbon feedstock for Yara’s ammonia production facility in Karratha to produce 3630 tonnes of ammonia per year.

Main proponents

Engie, Mitsui, Yara Fertilisers

Funding

Total project cost: $87.1 m AUD ARENA funding $47.5 m AUD, WA State Funding 2  mAUD

Status

Under construction, commercial operation due H1 2024

More information

carlos.trench@engie.com

Sherwood Park - Alberta

Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration

Project Category

  • Distribution
  • Demonstration

Description

The Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (AZETEC) is a first of its kind industry led project that will involve the design, manufacture, and testing of two long-range hydrogen fuel cell trucks for operation year-round between Calgary and Edmonton. The 64-tonne B-train tractor-trailers will be powered by fuel cell technology from Ballard Power Systems, integrated into a Freightliner Class 8 truck platform. Fueling infrastructure, provided by HTEC, will be located at a centralized depot in Edmonton with hydrogen supply from Air Products and Praxair. This project intends to demonstrate the viability of heavy-duty fuel cell trucks to reduce GHG emissions while meeting the unique demands of operations in Alberta including double-trailer operation, heavier gross vehicle weights (65,000 kg GVW), long-distance hauling (700km), and cold weather. 

Main proponents

Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), AZETEC. Partners include: Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation, Zen Clean Energy Solutions, Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research, Bison Transport, Trimac Transportation and Suncor Energy

Funding

Project value: $18 million. Emissions Reductions Alberta is supporting this project with funding of $7.3 million and the Government of Canada invested $2.3M.  

Status

The project, which began in 2019, will begin vehicle demonstration in Q3 2023. 

More information

info@eralberta.ca