The Cook Government of Western Australia has released a landmark report on the country’s first renewable hydrogen microgrid, a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions for remote communities.
A Public Knowledge Sharing Report detailed the operations and insights gained from the Denham Renewable Hydrogen Microgrid, a pioneering project that blends solar power with hydrogen technology.
Located in Denham, the fully operational microgrid comprises a 704 kilowatt (KW) solar farm, a 348 KW hydrogen electrolyser, and a 100 KW fuel cell.
According to the project’s website, it has produced more than 4000 kg of hydrogen, and generated 40 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity from hydrogen and 1800 MWh from the solar farm.
The State Government said this system is expected to offset 140,000 litres of diesel annually, showcasing its potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in remote areas.
Premier Roger Cook said he want to see WA become a renewable energy powerhouse, and hydrogen will have an important role to play in the country’s clean energy future.
“This innovative project helps to reduce our reliance on diesel in remote areas, delivering cleaner, affordable and reliable power for Denham,” he said.
“The knowledge we’ve gained through this pilot project will help to guide future remote uses of renewable hydrogen across WA and the rest of the nation.”
The WA Government invested $5.7 million in the project, with additional funding from the Renewable Hydrogen Fund, Horizon Power, and ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s commitment to exploring sustainable energy alternatives.
WA’s Acting Energy Minister Dr. Tony Buti highlighted the project’s broader implications.
“As we retire State-owned coal-fired power and embrace renewable energy, hydrogen could play a key role in powering our State while creating jobs and business opportunities through new export markets,” he said.
“By displacing diesel with hydrogen in Denham, our Government has also demonstrated how this technology could specifically benefit regional communities that are connected to microgrids.”
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