24 March New developments in the hydrogen industry March 24, 2021 By Sally Parker General, Industry, Resources and Energy, Technology LegislativeReform, HydrogenIndustry, Renewables 0 We can expect significant legislative reform for the hydrogen industry in the near future. This follows a review of all Australian laws (both Federal and State) in 2019 that found there were approximately 730 pieces of legislation and 119 standards related to the industry and recent developments that are seeking to develop the industry further. National Energy Resources Australia recently announced the establishment of 13 regional hydrogen clusters with an investment of $1.85 million. These would establish a globally recognised brand for Australian hydrogen technology and help the development, deployment and commercialisation of new hydrogen-focused technologies. It is anticipated that the national clusters will also facilitate uniform legislative reform. This initiative was instigated by the National Hydrogen Strategy released in 2019. The hubs are designed to increase competitiveness and generate demand for Australian hydrogen both in Australia and overseas. A key regulatory issue that they will need to address, particularly for export markets, is a certification and guarantee of origin scheme. This will be used to identify the potential environmental impacts of each unit of hydrogen by understanding how it was produced. The Australian Government has already proposed an international certification system to track production technology, direct and indirect carbon emissions. While initial consultations have already been undertaken, further is expected to clarify specific aspects of the proposed scheme. There have also been developments in Victoria, with the Government announcing its Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan (the Plan) in February. Renewable hydrogen is attractive for both its minimal environmental impact and productive uses as an alternative fuel source. The Plan seeks to establish a new renewable hydrogen sector and lays the foundation for the development of the industry. It does this by laying out how Victoria will: ● Create clear foundations for the sector; ● Leverage scale and create economic links; and ● Set policies and support programs to attract investment in renewable hydrogen projects. The Plan includes establishing a $10 million hydrogen hub in Melbourne to support education and research and development. The Plan also preempts two major grant programs that will open later in the year. The Expanded Victorian Hydrogen Program will enable renewable hydrogen pilots, trials and demonstrations, while the Hydrogen for Industrial Users Program will support businesses to start using renewable hydrogen. The key outcomes for the Victorian Government from the Plan include: ● Creating long-term job growth; ● Accelerating innovation through research and development; ● Creating safety standards and regulations; ● Enable the export of renewable energy; ● Optimise land use and infrastructure development; ● Leverage hydrogen to support other energy sectors including electricity and gas; ● Drive innovation; ● Build skills, capacity and educational opportunities; and ● Reduce greenhouse gas emissions These initiatives will not only support future legislative reform, but also position Australian as a leader in renewable hydrogen, both domestically and in export markets. Related Articles Why hydrogen is becoming an important energy source Hydrogen as an energy source continues to grow in popularity. Once confined to industrial processes such as refining crude oil, it is now being recognised as a potential solution to the problems of electricity generation, transportation and storage. Over the next thirty years, global energy demand is predicted to grow by at least 30-40%. At the same time, the share of energy generated from fossil fuels has stayed almost static at 81%. While renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind are getting cheaper, they can only be generated on an intermittent basis. To make them commercially practical to use, they must be combined with high-energy batteries and backed with other energy sources. Expanding further into hydrogen Green hydrogen production continues to grow at a rapid pace, with over 109 kilo tonnes per annum produced globally in 2022, representing a 44% growth compared to 2021. Countries including US, Denmark, Canada and Egypt, have announced over 111.9 million tonnes per annum capacity in 2022 alone. The States continue to invest in the industry As a testament to the importance of the energy and resources industry to the economy and job growth, State governments continue to invest in the industry as part of their COVID-19 recovery plans Key industry updates in Asia In recent months several countries in Asia have announced regulatory changes to support their transition to renewable energy. Submission - DISER Consultation Paper December 2020 ‘Enhancing Australia’s decommissioning framework for offshore oil and gas activities’ Energy industry and government response to COVID-19 In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, government and industry have come together to ensure the community, economy and industry are supported. The Council of Australian Governments Energy Council (COAG Energy Council) has formed the Energy Coordination Mechanism (ECM) which is expected to have a complete plan by the end of April. The immediate focus of these efforts has been on four areas Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.