The challenge
A decarbonisation blueprint
Northern Australia's plentiful resources means that the region can be both an energy export and regional decarbonisation powerhouse. The Northern Territory has abundant natural gas and solar resources, significant carbon dioxide (CO2) storage capacity, and proximity to international markets. At the same time, the NT Government — who have officially adopted a 2050 net-zero emissions target — is looking to identify ways to rapidly decarbonise existing energy supplies whilst attracting future zero emission industries.
Our response
A new collaboration to assess future opportunities in the Top End
CSIRO is leading a collaboration that will develop the business case to assess the viability of a large-scale Low Emission Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Hub, based on Darwin's Middle Arm Peninsular in the Northern Territory. To develop this business case, we have partnered with the NT Government, and brought together an initial group of key industry and engineering companies, including INPEX, Santos, Woodside, Eni, Origin Energy and Xodus.
The aim of the Hub will be to significantly reduce existing emissions, acting as a catalyst to new net zero industries that can continue beyond the energy transition. It would also enable the development of an interconnected hydrogen industry, and the use of captured carbon in other industrial processes, such as the production of non-fossil fuel alternatives for transportation.
If realised, the Northern Territory Low Emission Hub would be one of the largest multi-user, multi-access hubs globally. It will involve close collaboration between the Territory and Federal governments, a diverse range of industries research agencies like CSIRO, engineering and technology companies, and foreign governments.
Why the Northern Territory? Darwin is a gateway to South East Asia and is the location of a globally significant Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) export and industrial activity within the Territory. One of the aims of the business case is to identify a transition pathway for industry in the region by sharing knowledge and experience that will help improve the likelihood of success.
The Hub could also be key to the establishment of the NT Government's Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct that is being developed into a globally competitive precinct for low emission petrochemical, renewable hydrogen, and minerals processing.
By taking a collaborative and regional view, an accelerated and sustainable industry transition can be explored.
Our role
CSIRO is uniquely placed to drive the technology and collaboration necessary to develop a business case for the NT Low Emissions Hub. We have close partnerships with industry, Territory and Federal Governments, and we have expertise across key industry sectors, including CCUS and hydrogen. For instance, we recently released the CO2 Utilisation Roadmap, and we are leading Australia’s research in the clean hydrogen industry.
We have invested to accelerate the development of a robust business case for government and industry investment. We will do this by providing impartial scientific advice; coordinate the development of detailed concept designs; building international linkages; and conducting geological research and economic and customer studies.
The business case will apply best practice learnings from international low emission industrial hub projects. It will also consider all technology solutions and engage with industry and community stakeholder groups as we navigate the transition pathway to a low emissions future.
See the media release for quotes from the different partners.
The infographic for the NT Low Emissions Hub shows the different components of a potential hub that are separated into three main areas: Hydrogen (H2) generation and transport; CO2 Emissions and transport and the CO2 Hub.
This includes: