Australian green hydrogen hub prepares to fuel heavy vehicles in Northam

The location is aiming to be ready in a year and a half for H2 refueling in garbage trucks, buses and more.

A green hydrogen hub in Northam, West Australia, is preparing to begin supplying large vehicles with the H2 that will power them in about 18 months.

The vehicles will include buses, garbage trucks, concrete mixers and even road trains.

Northam is located about an hour east of Perth. Supporters of the new green hydrogen hub say that this plant will be the first in Australia for renewable H2 production for vehicles. At the end of July, the project was handed a $5 million grant from the state government to help accelerate the process.

Infinite Green Energy (IGE) owns the project as a part of a partnership with Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction and Doral Energy Group.

According to Stephen Gauld, founder and CEO of IGE, to meet the hub’s demand, they expect to need to produce four tons per day. This would be an adequate supply to power 78 Class 8 heavy haul trucks.

The green hydrogen hub is specifically focused on producing the H2 needed to refuel heavy vehicles.

“We’re focused on … the heavy haul market,” said Gauld in a recent media interview. “As the market evolves, we’ll eventually have green electricity into data centres as Northam expands. We’re also looking at shunt trains.”

IGE intends to double the size of its Northam Solar Farm throughout the next year and a half. It will also build five wind turbines and a number of single-story buildings. It will construct an H2 plant and fueling station as well.

Pending approvals

According to Gauld, the project is now waiting for its approvals from a Shire of Northam joint development assessment panel. Once they have arrived, groundbreaking could occur as early as October. The plant is slated for operation by the close of next year or the start of 2025.

“The earthworks and civils will be awarded to the companies who have helped us so far with the early works,” said Gauld, who explained that local contractors would be completing much of the construction work on the green hydrogen hub.

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Who discovered the hydrogen element in 1766?

Henry Cavendish Robert Boyle Christian Friedrich Schonbein

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What country uses the most hydrogen energy?

united states hydrogen use United States China hydrogen use China Germany hydrogen use Germany

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What's the Guinnes World Record for a hydrogen fuel car's mileage range on a single tank of hydrogen?

629 miles 489 miles 845 miles

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How many miles of hydrogen pipelines are currently operating in the United States?

300 miles 1600 miles 2800 miles Zero Hydrogen Pipelines

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Is a fuel cell car considered to be an electric vehicle?

Yes No

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What are the many ways to store hydrogen?

Liquified Salt Caverns Compressed Material based like ammonia All of the above

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Which of the following statements best describes why hydrogen is considered non-toxic and dissipates quickly?

Hydrogen is heavier than air, causing it to spread slowly and remain concentrated. Hydrogen is lighter than air, allowing it to rise and disperse rapidly in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is chemically inert, preventing it from reacting with other substances in the air. Hydrogen is soluble in water, making it easy to dissolve and remove from the environment.

FAQ’s About the Green Hydrogen Hub in Northam, West Australia

1. What is the purpose of the green hydrogen hub in Northam, West Australia? The green hydrogen hub aims to produce renewable hydrogen (H2) for large vehicles such as buses, garbage trucks, concrete mixers, and road trains.

2. When is the hub expected to start supplying H2 to vehicles? The hub is preparing to begin supplying H2 to vehicles in approximately 18 months.

3. Where is Northam located in relation to Perth? Northam is located about an hour east of Perth, Western Australia.

4. Is this the first green hydrogen production plant for vehicles in Australia? Yes, supporters of the project claim that this plant will be the first in Australia for renewable H2 production specifically for vehicles.

5. Has the project received any financial support? Yes, the project received a $5 million grant from the state government at the end of July to help accelerate the process.

6. Who owns the green hydrogen hub project in Northam? Infinite Green Energy (IGE) owns the project in partnership with Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction and Doral Energy Group.

7. How much hydrogen does the hub expect to produce daily? To meet the hub’s demand, they expect to produce four tons per day, which is enough to power 78 Class 8 heavy haul trucks.

8. Will the hub expand its operations beyond heavy vehicles in the future? Yes, as the market evolves, the hub plans to expand its operations to include supplying green electricity to data centers as Northam expands. They are also considering shunt trains.

9. What are the upcoming construction plans for the green hydrogen hub? IGE intends to double the size of its Northam Solar Farm, build five wind turbines, construct an H2 plant and fueling station, and several single-story buildings.

10. When is the expected timeline for the hub’s operation? Pending approvals from the Shire of Northam joint development assessment panel, groundbreaking could occur as early as October. The plant is slated for operation by the end of next year or the beginning of 2025.