Australia
Utilization and Recycling of End of Life Plastics for Sustainable and Clean Industrial Processes Including the Iron and Steel Industry
Aug 2019
Publication
About 400 million tonnes of plastics are produced per annum worldwide. End-of-life of plastics disposal contaminates the waterways aquifers and limits the landfill areas. Options for recycling plastic wastes include feedstock recycling mechanical /material recycling industrial energy recovery municipal solid waste incineration. Incineration of plastics containing E-Wastes releases noxious odours harmful gases dioxins HBr polybrominated diphenylethers and other hydrocarbons. This study focusses on recycling options in particular feedstock recycling of plastics in high-temperature materials processing for a sustainable solution to the plastic wastes not suitable for recycling. Of the 7% CO2 emissions attributed to the iron and steel industry worldwide ∼30% of the carbon footprint is reduced using the waste plastics compared to other carbon sources in addition to energy savings. Plastics have higher H2 content than the coal. Hydrogen evolved from the plastics acts as the reductant alongside the carbon monoxide. Hydrogen reduction of iron ore in presence of plastics increases the reaction rates due to higher diffusion of H2 compared to CO. Plastic replacement reduces the process temperature by at least 100–200 °C due to the reducing gases (hydrogen) which enhance the energy efficiency of the process. Similarly plastics greatly reduce the emissions in other high carbon footprint process such as magnesia production while contributing to energy.
Thoughts on the Prospects of Renewable Hydrogen
Oct 2020
Publication
In the last two years or so there has been increasing interest in hydrogen as an energy source in Australia and around the world. Notably this is not the first time that hydrogen has caught our collective interest. Most recently the 2000s saw a substantial investment in hydrogen research development and demonstration around the world. Prior to that the oil crises of the 1970s also stimulated significant investment in hydrogen and earlier still the literature on hydrogen was not lacking. And yet the hydrogen economy is still an idea only.<br/>So what if anything might be different this time?<br/>This is an important question that we all need to ask and for which the author can only give two potential answers. First our need to make dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become more pressing since these previous waves of interest. Second renewable energy is considerably more affordable now than it was before and it has consistently outperformed expectations in terms of cost reductions by even its strongest supporters.<br/>While this dramatic and ongoing reduction in the cost of renewables is very promising our need to achieve substantial GHG emission reductions is the crucial challenge. Moreover meeting this challenge needs to be achieved with as little adverse social and economic impact as possible.<br/>When considering what role hydrogen might play we should first think carefully about the massive scale and complexity of our global energy system and the typical prices of the major energy commodities. This provides insights into what opportunities hydrogen may have. Considering a temperate country with a small population like Australia we see that domestic natural gas and transport fuel markets are comparable to and even larger than the electricity market on an energy basis.
Transferring the Retail of Hydrogen Economy and Missing Safety Assurance
Sep 2019
Publication
Australian regional communities are moving ahead of governments. Enterprising individuals are pushing ahead to find global solutions to local issues that governments (local or state or federal) have abandoned stalled mothballed or failed to resolve. We are faced with a flaw in retail of hydrogen economy as fatal as Walgett running dry or a million fish killed in Murray-Darling. The challenge in Australian regional communities will be to interpret safety assurance requirements in an appropriate manner even in severe economic swings such as drought bushfire or floods. In this context the efficacious cultural embrace by regional communities of three key program elements is essential - Australian Hydrogen Safety Panel Hydrogen Safety Knowledge Tools and Dissemination Hydrogen Safety First Responder Training. What are the odds of no accident in retailing hydrogen for examples to vehicles? Place is everything in regional communities of Australia because in nature (as in the ocean) there is no spin. This paper examines the safety assurance issues associated with the cultural integration of Hydrogen’s three key program elements in a country Australia that is fed-up with government.
Hydrogen Production by Fluidized Bed Reactors: A Quantitative Perspective Using the Supervised Machine Learning Approach
Jul 2021
Publication
The current hydrogen generation technologies especially biomass gasification using fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) were rigorously reviewed. There are involute operational parameters in a fluidized bed gasifier that determine the anticipated outcomes for hydrogen production purposes. However limited reviews are present that link these parametric conditions with the corresponding performances based on experimental data collection. Using the constructed artificial neural networks (ANNs) as the supervised machine learning algorithm for data training the operational parameters from 52 literature reports were utilized to perform both the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the performance such as the hydrogen yield (HY) hydrogen content (HC) and carbon conversion efficiency (CCE). Seven types of operational parameters including the steam-to-biomass ratio (SBR) equivalent ratio (ER) temperature particle size of the feedstock residence time lower heating value (LHV) and carbon content (CC) were closely investigated. Six binary parameters have been identified to be statistically significant to the performance parameters (hydrogen yield (HY)) hydrogen content (HC) and carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal operational conditions derived from the machine leaning were recommended according to the needs of the outcomes. This review may provide helpful insights for researchers to comprehensively consider the operational conditions in order to achieve high hydrogen production using fluidized bed reactors during biomass gasification.
Decarbonising UK Transport: Implications for Electricity Generation, Land Use and Policy
Dec 2022
Publication
To ensure the UK’s net zero targets are met the transition from conventionally fueled transport to low emission alternatives is necessary. The impact from increased decarbonised electricity generation on ecosystem services (ES) and natural capital (NC) are not currently quantified with decarbonisation required to minimise impacts from climate change. This study aims to project the future electric and hydrogen energy demand between 2020 and 2050 for car bus and train to better understand the land/sea area that would be required to support energy generation. In this work predictions of the geospatial impact of renewable energy (onshore/offshore wind and solar) nuclear and fossil fuels on ES and NC were made considering generation mix number of generation installations and energy density. Results show that electric transport will require ~136599 GWh for all vehicle types analysed in 2050 much less than hydrogen transport at ~425532 GWh. We estimate that to power electric transport at least 1515 km2 will be required for solar 1672 km2 for wind and 5 km2 for nuclear. Hydrogen approximately doubles this requirement. Results provide an approximation of the future demands from the transport sector on land and sea area use indicating that a combined electric and hydrogen network will be needed to accommodate a range of socio-economic requirements. While robust assessments of ES and NC impacts are critical in future policies and planning significant reductions in energy demands through a modal shift to (low emission) public transport will be most effective in ensuring a sustainable transport future.
Innovating Transport Across Australia: Inquiry into Automated Mass Transit
Mar 2019
Publication
Automated and electric mass transit will play a significant role in the connectivity of our cities and regions. But automated mass transit must be placed within the wider context of the optimum transport needs of those cities and regions— transport networks based on shared and multi-modal mobility. Realising the full potential of these networks will require sustained policy development and investment.<br/>This report examines current and future developments in the use of automation and new energy sources in land-based mass transit including rail and road mass transit point-to-point transport using automated vehicles and the role and responsibilities of the Commonwealth in the development of these technologies. It will analyse the opportunities and challenges presented by automation and new energy sources and the role the Australian Government has to play in managing this transport revolution.
Advancing Hydrogen: Learning from 19 Plans to Advance Hydrogen from Across the Globe
Jul 2019
Publication
Hydrogen as the International Energy Agency (IEA 2019) notes has experienced a number of ‘false dawns’ - in the 1970s 1990s and early 2000s - which subsequently faded. However this time there is reason to think that hydrogen will play a substantial role in the global energy system. The most important factor driving this renewed focus is the ability of hydrogen to support deep carbon abatement by assisting in those sectors where abatement with non-carbon electricity has so far proven difficult. Hydrogen can also address poor urban air quality energy security and provides a good means of shifting energy supply between regions and between seasons.
In response to these changed conditions many countries states and even cities have developed hydrogen strategies while various interest groups have developed industry roadmaps which fulfil a similar role.
This report summarises 19 hydrogen strategies and aims to help readers understand how nations regions and industries are thinking about opportunities to become involved in this emerging industry. Its prime purpose is to act as a resource to assist those involved in long-term energy policy planning in Australia including those involved in the development of Australia’s hydrogen strategy
The full report can be read on the Energy Network website at this link here
In response to these changed conditions many countries states and even cities have developed hydrogen strategies while various interest groups have developed industry roadmaps which fulfil a similar role.
This report summarises 19 hydrogen strategies and aims to help readers understand how nations regions and industries are thinking about opportunities to become involved in this emerging industry. Its prime purpose is to act as a resource to assist those involved in long-term energy policy planning in Australia including those involved in the development of Australia’s hydrogen strategy
The full report can be read on the Energy Network website at this link here
Converting Sewage Water into H2 Fuel Gas Using Cu/CuO Nanoporous Photocatalytic Electrodes
Feb 2022
Publication
This work reports on H2 fuel generation from sewage water using Cu/CuO nanoporous (NP) electrodes. This is a novel concept for converting contaminated water into H2 fuel. The preparation of Cu/CuO NP was achieved using a simple thermal combustion process of Cu metallic foil at 550 ◦C for 1 h. The Cu/CuO surface consists of island-like structures with an inter-distance of 100 nm. Each island has a highly porous surface with a pore diameter of about 250 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of monoclinic Cu/CuO NP material with a crystallite size of 89 nm. The prepared Cu/CuO photoelectrode was applied for H2 generation from sewage water achieving an incident to photon conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 14.6%. Further the effects of light intensity and wavelength on the photoelectrode performance were assessed. The current density (Jph) value increased from 2.17 to 4.7 mA·cm−2 upon raising the light power density from 50 to 100 mW·cm−2 . Moreover the enthalpy (∆H*) and entropy (∆S*) values of Cu/CuO electrode were determined as 9.519 KJ mol−1 and 180.4 JK−1 ·mol−1 respectively. The results obtained in the present study are very promising for solving the problem of energy in far regions by converting sewage water to H2 fuel.
Comparison of Hydrogen Powertrains with the Battery Powered Electric Vehicle and Investigation of Small-Scale Local Hydrogen Production Using Renewable Energy
Jan 2021
Publication
Climate change is one of the major problems that people face in this century with fossil fuel combustion engines being huge contributors. Currently the battery powered electric vehicle is considered the predecessor while hydrogen vehicles only have an insignificant market share. To evaluate if this is justified different hydrogen power train technologies are analyzed and compared to the battery powered electric vehicle. Even though most research focuses on the hydrogen fuel cells it is shown that despite the lower efficiency the often-neglected hydrogen combustion engine could be the right solution for transitioning away from fossil fuels. This is mainly due to the lower costs and possibility of the use of existing manufacturing infrastructure. To achieve a similar level of refueling comfort as with the battery powered electric vehicle the economic and technological aspects of the local small-scale hydrogen production are being investigated. Due to the low efficiency and high prices for the required components this domestically produced hydrogen cannot compete with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels on a larger scale
Gas Transition: Renewable Hydrogen’s Future in Eastern Australia’s Energy Networks
Jul 2021
Publication
The energy transition for a net-zero future will require deep decarbonisation that hydrogen is uniquely positioned to facilitate. This technoeconomic study considers renewable hydrogen production transmission and storage for energy networks using the National Electricity Market (NEM) region of Eastern Australia as a case study. Plausible growth projections are developed to meet domestic demands for gas out to 2040 based on industry commitments and scalable technology deployment. Analysis using the discounted cash flow technique is performed to determine possible levelised cost figures for key processes out to 2050. Variables include geographic limitations growth rates and capacity factors to minimise abatement costs compared to business-as-usual natural gas forecasts. The study provides an optimistic outlook considering renewable power-to-X opportunities for blending replacement and gas-to-power to show viable pathways for the gas transition to green hydrogen. Blending is achievable with modest (3%) green premiums this decade and substitution for natural gas combustion in the long-term is likely to represent an abatement cost of AUD 18/tCO2-e including transmission and storage.
Lessons Learned from Australian Infrastructure Upgrades
Feb 2020
Publication
This report fulfils Deliverable Five for Research Project 2.1-01 of the Future Fuels CRC. The aims of this project Crystallising lessons learned from major infrastructure upgrades are to provide a report on lessons learned from earlier infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions and identify tools that can be used to develop consistent messaging around the proposed transition to hydrogen and/or other low-carbon fuels. In both the report and the toolkit there are recommendations on how to apply lessons learned and shape messaging throughout the value chain based on prior infrastructure upgrades.
This report presents three Australian case studies that that are relevant to the development of future fuels: the transition from town gas to natural gas the use of ethanol and LPG as motor fuels and the development of coal seam gas resources. Drawing on published information each case study provides an account of the issues that arose during the upgrade or transition and of the approaches through which industry and government stakeholders managed these issues. From these accounts lessons are identified that can guide stakeholder engagement in future infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions. The findings from the case studies and academic literature have been used to develop an accompanying draft toolkit for use by FFCRC stakeholders.
The report also distils applicable lessons and frameworks from academic literature about stakeholder analysis megaprojects and the social acceptance of industries and technologies. This report is meant to be used in conjunction with a companion toolkit that provides a framework for making coordinated decisions across the fuel value chain.
You can read the full report on the Future Fuels CRC website here
This report presents three Australian case studies that that are relevant to the development of future fuels: the transition from town gas to natural gas the use of ethanol and LPG as motor fuels and the development of coal seam gas resources. Drawing on published information each case study provides an account of the issues that arose during the upgrade or transition and of the approaches through which industry and government stakeholders managed these issues. From these accounts lessons are identified that can guide stakeholder engagement in future infrastructure upgrades and fuel transitions. The findings from the case studies and academic literature have been used to develop an accompanying draft toolkit for use by FFCRC stakeholders.
The report also distils applicable lessons and frameworks from academic literature about stakeholder analysis megaprojects and the social acceptance of industries and technologies. This report is meant to be used in conjunction with a companion toolkit that provides a framework for making coordinated decisions across the fuel value chain.
You can read the full report on the Future Fuels CRC website here
Recent Advances in Seawater Electrolysis
Jan 2022
Publication
Hydrogen energy as a clean and renewable energy has attracted much attention in recent years. Water electrolysis via the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode coupled with the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode is a promising method to produce hydrogen. Given the shortage of freshwater resources on the planet the direct use of seawater as an electrolyte for hydrogen production has become a hot research topic. Direct use of seawater as the electrolyte for water electrolysis can reduce the cost of hydrogen production due to the great abundance and wide availability. In recent years various high-efficiency electrocatalysts have made great progress in seawater splitting and have shown great potential. This review introduces the mechanisms and challenges of seawater splitting and summarizes the recent progress of various electrocatalysts used for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in seawater electrolysis in recent years. Finally the challenges and future opportunities of seawater electrolysis for hydrogen and oxygen production are presented.
Indicative Analysis of Blending Hydrogen in Gas Networks
May 2020
Publication
Frontier Economics has been engaged by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (now Industry Science Energy and Resources) (the Department) to undertake an indicative analysis of the economics of blending hydrogen in Australian natural gas distribution networks. Our analysis is limited to a specific gas distribution network servicing urban areas of Melbourne.
We have investigated the economics of blending hydrogen in a natural gas distribution network by examining a number of energy supply options including options that involve blending hydrogen. While we consider that these cases we have examined are useful for understanding the economics of hydrogen blending at low rates in Victoria and for understanding the factors that are likely to drive the economics of blending at higher rates or in other regions it cannot be assumed that the results we find for the cases we investigate will necessarily apply in other regions or for blending at other rates. This report should be read as an assessment of the specific cases we have investigated and our findings cannot necessarily be extended to other cases (such as other locations or other rates of blending)"
The full report can be found via the website of the Australian government at this link
We have investigated the economics of blending hydrogen in a natural gas distribution network by examining a number of energy supply options including options that involve blending hydrogen. While we consider that these cases we have examined are useful for understanding the economics of hydrogen blending at low rates in Victoria and for understanding the factors that are likely to drive the economics of blending at higher rates or in other regions it cannot be assumed that the results we find for the cases we investigate will necessarily apply in other regions or for blending at other rates. This report should be read as an assessment of the specific cases we have investigated and our findings cannot necessarily be extended to other cases (such as other locations or other rates of blending)"
The full report can be found via the website of the Australian government at this link
H2 Green Hydrogen Discussion Paper: Victorian Hydrogen Investment Program
Nov 2019
Publication
This discussion paper is for stakeholders who would like to shape the development of Victoria’s emerging green hydrogen sector identifying competitive advantages and priority focus areas for industry and the Victorian Government.<br/>The Victorian Government is using this paper to focus on the economic growth and sector development opportunities emerging for a Victorian hydrogen industry powered by renewable energy also known as ‘green’ hydrogen. In addition this paper seeks input from all stakeholders on how where and when the Victorian Government can act to establish a thriving green hydrogen economy.<br/>Although green hydrogen is the only type of hydrogen production within the scope of this discussion paper the development of the VHIP aligns with the policies projects and initiatives which support these other forms of hydrogen production. The VHIP is considering the broad policy landscape and actively coordinating with related hydrogen programs policies and strategies under development including the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council’s National Hydrogen Strategy to ensure a complementary approach. In Victoria there are several programs and strategies in development and underway that have linkages with hydrogen and the VHIP.
The Global Status of CCS 2019: Targeting Climate Change
Dec 2019
Publication
CCS is an emissions reduction technology critical to meeting global climate targets. The Global Status of CCS 2019 documents important milestones for CCS over the past 12 months its status across the world and the key opportunities and challenges it faces. We hope this report will be read and used by governments policy-makers academics media commentators and the millions of people who care about our climate.
Promotion Effect of Proton-conducting Oxide BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ on the Catalytic Activity of Ni Towards Ammonia Synthesis from Hydrogen and Nitrogen
Aug 2018
Publication
In this report for the first time it has been observed that proton-conducting oxide BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ (BZCY) has significant promotion effect on the catalytic activity of Ni towards ammonia synthesis from hydrogen and nitrogen. Renewable hydrogen can be used for ammonia synthesis to save CO2 emission. By investigating the operating parameters of the reaction the optimal conditions for this catalyst were identified. It was found that at 620 °C with a total flow rate of 200 mL min−1 and a H2/N2 mol ratio of 3 an activity of approximately 250 μmol g−1 h−1 can be achieved. This is ten times larger than that for the unpromoted Ni catalyst under the same conditions although the stability of both catalysts in the presence of steam was not good. The specific activity of Ni supported on proton-conducting oxide BZCY is approximately 72 times higher than that of Ni supported on non-proton conductor MgO-CeO2. These promotion effects were suspected to be due to the proton conducting nature of the support. Therefore it is proposed that the use of proton conducting support materials with highly active ammonia synthesis catalysts such as Ru and Fe will provide improved activity of at lower temperatures.
Future Fuels Strategy: Discussion Paper Powering Choice
Feb 2021
Publication
New vehicle technologies and fuels will drive the future of road transport in Australia. Increased availability of battery electric vehicles hydrogen fuel cell vehicles biofuels and associated recharging and refuelling infrastructure will:
- give consumers more choice
- provide productivity emissions reduction fuel security and air quality benefits
Closing the Regulatory Gaps and Advancing Hydrogen Infrastructure Deployment in Australia
Sep 2019
Publication
With downward trends in Australian equipment manufacturing there are increased numbers of overseas designed manufactured and certified hydrogen systems being introduced into Australia. In parallel there are also opportunities for hydrogen and its carriers to be exported to overseas. Certainty of reputable codes and standards is important to meet regulatory requirements and community safety expectations locally and overseas.
This paper is a progress report of Hydrogen Mobility Australia’s (HMA) Technical Committee on mapping the regulatory codes and standards (RCS) gaps in Australia and establishing a pathway together with Standards Australia and Commonwealth and State Governments. This paper will discuss the benefits of the pathway covering the areas of:
This paper is a progress report of Hydrogen Mobility Australia’s (HMA) Technical Committee on mapping the regulatory codes and standards (RCS) gaps in Australia and establishing a pathway together with Standards Australia and Commonwealth and State Governments. This paper will discuss the benefits of the pathway covering the areas of:
- Safety – Enable Australia to implement consensual rules to minimise avoidable risks to persons and goods to an acceptable level
- Environment – Ensure protection of the environment from unacceptable damage due to the operation and effects of products processes and services linked to hydrogen
- Elimination of barriers to trade – Provide consistency between international jurisdictions enabling streamlined entry of hydrogen related equipment from overseas
- Upskilling of Australian industry participants – Gain useful learnings from countries more advanced in their progress in implementing ISO standards and hydrogen sector development
A Chicken and Egg Situation: Enhancing Emergency Service Workers' Knowledge of Hydrogen
Sep 2021
Publication
This paper reports on the results of interviews conducted with 21 representatives from emergency services organisations within Australia and New Zealand. With a relative emergent industry such as future fuels a chicken and egg situation does emerge with regards to how much training needs to be in place in advance of large-scale industry development or not. These respondents were employed in a variety of roles being directly involved in research and training of emerging technologies frontline operational managers and other senior roles across the emergency services sector. Participants' responses to a series of questions were able to provide insights into the state of knowledge and training requirements within their organisations in relation to hydrogen and other future fuels. The findings suggest that formal and informal processes currently exist to support the knowledge development and transferal around the adoption of hydrogen and other future fuels. From the interviews it became clear that there are a number of processes that have emerged from the experiences gained through the implementation of rooftop solar PV and battery storage that provide some background context for advancing future fuels information across the sector. Because safety is a critical component for securing a social licence to operate engagement and knowledge sharing with any representatives from across this sector will only help to build confidence in the industry. Similarly because interviewees were very keen to access information they expressed a clear willingness to learn more through more formalised relationships rather than an ad hoc information seeking that has been employed to date. The presentation will identify key recommendations and also highlight the importance of QR Codes in the emergency responder landscape. Implications for industry and policy makers are discussed.
Healthy Power: Reimagining Hospitals as Sustainable Energy Hubs
Oct 2020
Publication
Human health is a key pillar of modern conceptions of sustainability. Humanity pays a considerable price for its dependence on fossil-fueled energy systems which must be addressed for sustainable urban development. Public hospitals are focal points for communities and have an opportunity to lead the transition to renewable energy. We have reimagined the healthcare energy ecosystem with sustainable technologies to transform hospitals into networked clean energy hubs. In this concept design hydrogen is used to couple energy with other on-site medical resource demands and vanadium flow battery technology is used to engage the public with energy systems. This multi-generation system would reduce harmful emissions while providing reliable services tackling the linked issues of human and environmental health.
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