Hydrogen for transport

This story first appeared in the december issue of evtalk CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Australia’s chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel has released a National Hydrogen Strategy spelling out how Australia can embrace and develop clean hydrogen as a fuel.

Aurecon recently contributed to the Hydrogen for Transport report for the COAG Energy Council.

The transport sector is one of Australia’s largest end users of energy and contributes more than 18% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the most exciting prospects for hydrogen is the transport sector.

Today, its most common use is as a chemical ingredient.

Hydrogen as a technology has the potential to provide a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as well as a more reliable fuel supply for the transport sector.

Some advantages of hydrogen powered vehicles when compared to other energy sources include faster refuelling times, and the ability to travel longer distances carrying larger loads before the need to refuel.

Support for a clean hydrogen economy has been a long time coming, and the report highlights that what we need now is for Australia to fast-track hydrogen projects, and governments to have a clear role in supporting this great new industry as it evolves.

Support for a hydrogen economy in Australia is only one part of being able to scale-up this new industry.

A critical pathway for the implementation of this technology will be the trials, demonstrations and pilots which can bring the “Hydrogen for Transport” vision to life.

Aurecon’s report highlights the systems thinking and integrated outcomes that are pertinent to hydrogen for the transport opportunity.

In progressing any pilot or trial, we encourage investigation of long-term benefits to the broader transport system and growth of the domestic hydrogen economy.

With a fully developed hydrogen economy roadmap, key stakeholders (including government entities, end users, manufacturers, and investors), will have a clearer understanding of the end-to-end value proposition, enabling decision-makers to identify the projects which will facilitate strategic growth for a hydrogen economy in Australia.

I wonder if hydrogen will grab a foothold in New Zealand too? I’m proud to say that I am part of the Future of Energy today, and contributing to a hydrogen economy of the future.