Victoria's Groundbreaking Move: Launching Australia's Largest Hydrogen Refueling Project in Geelong
Key Ideas
- Australia's largest hydrogen refueling project opens in Geelong, providing renewable hydrogen for commercial trucks and transport to reduce emissions and fuel costs.
- The $61.2 million Viva Energy New Energies Service Station, funded by the Albanese Labor and Allan Governments, features a 2.5 megawatt electrolyser converting recycled water and renewable electricity into hydrogen.
- The station will accommodate 5 to 15 vehicles daily, with a refueling time of 15 minutes for an average fill, enabling a range of 200-450 kilometers. It supports both hydrogen production and vehicle refueling on-site.
- The project, part of Victoria's push for net-zero emissions by 2045, includes plans for 15 hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles on Victorian roads within two years, demonstrating the potential for hydrogen transport expansion in hard-to-decarbonize industries.
The Allan and Albanese Labor Government in Australia have launched the country's largest hydrogen refueling project in Geelong, Victoria, marking a significant step towards sustainable transportation. The Viva Energy New Energies Service Station, supported by a $34 million investment from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and a $1 million contribution from the Allan Labor Government's Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund, is designed to offer renewable hydrogen for commercial trucks and transport vehicles.
Located strategically on the Princes Highway and Station Street, the service station boasts a 2.5 megawatt electrolyser that uses recycled water and renewable electricity to produce hydrogen. Initially catering to 5 vehicles daily, the station plans to increase this number to 12-15 within the next two years. With a quick refueling time of around 15 minutes per average fill, the station can accommodate consecutive refueling of 10 trucks or buses in under two hours, offering a range of 200-450 kilometers depending on the vehicle type and load.
What sets this project apart is its unique feature of integrating hydrogen production and vehicle refueling on a single site, a first in Australia. The initiative also includes provisions for charging electric vehicles and plans to deploy 15 hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles on Victorian roads, demonstrating the practicality and potential of renewable hydrogen in decarbonizing challenging industries.
With a clear focus on achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, the Victorian government's investment of $6.6 million in projects supporting renewable hydrogen pilots and trials highlights its commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and promoting eco-friendly transportation in the region. Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio and Member for Lara Ella George have both praised the initiative, emphasizing its role in reducing emissions and driving Victoria's journey towards sustainability.
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