Confused about all the hydrogen hype in South Australia? We break down the basics of green hydrogen (so you’ll know what your science-y mates are talking about at the next dinner party).
What is green hydrogen?
It’s a super clean energy source made from water and renewable energy (like solar or wind power). Think of it as a way to store extra power on sunny or windy days to use later, similar to a battery. Green hydrogen can seriously help us ditch fossil fuels and live more sustainably.
Why is everyone talking about it? A few reasons:
- Zero emissions = healthy planet and green hydrogen burns clean. That means no nasty pollution from using this energy source!
- Energy 24/7: Sun not shining? Wind takes a break? Green hydrogen can step in as a backup renewable power source.
- Power for everything: This stuff can fuel everything from cars and semi-trailers to massive industries.
Why are we producing it in SA? We’re basically the perfect place.
- Tons of sun and wind means South Australia is overflowing with renewable energy sources that are perfect for making green hydrogen.
- We’ve got lots of land for production and storage.
- Export potential: We could become a major supplier of green products, like steel, made from green hydrogen to the world. There is also potential for ‘shipping our sunshine and wind’ to Japan, South Korea, Europe and south-east Asia.
So how is it made?
- By zapping water (H2O) with an electrolyser (a fancy machine). This splits water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O) using renewable energy.
- Store and use: The hydrogen then gets stored and used later for whatever you need – to power your car, generate electricity, even make fertiliser!
Where’s it happening?
- The hydrogen plant at Whyalla is where the action will be.
- It’s where the world’s largest hydrogen power station, electrolysers and storage facility will be built.
What about water? It’s precious in SA.
That’s a fair point! The state government is working on solutions to support the emerging hydrogen industry, including prospective plans to build a seawater desalination plant at Cape Hardy, near Tumby Bay on Eyre Peninsula. This could help supply the green hydrogen and renewable energy industry with all the sustainable water it needs.
How do we move and store this stuff?
- Pipelines: We can blend hydrogen with natural gas and use existing gas lines.
- Green ammonia: Hydrogen can be turned into ammonia (used in fertilisers) for easier transport. This helps us green up agriculture too!
- Liquid hydrogen: It can be chilled into liquid form and shipped like any other fuel.
Why is green hydrogen a big deal for SA?
- Jobs, jobs, jobs: This is a whole new industry – think research, manufacturing, you name it!
- Sun and wind energy: we create more than we can use – SA is leading the world when it comes to renewable energy generation! Hydrogen lets us store the good stuff so it doesn’t go to waste.
- Slowing climate change: SA can be an example for the world in ditching fossil fuels.
- Cleaner industries: We can help heavy industries like steel and cement go green by fuelling them with green hydrogen.
Want to learn more? Visit hydrogen.sa.gov.au
