General News

Australia’s first large-scale renewable hydrogen plant

One of the world’s largest renewable hydrogen plants is due to be built in the Pilbara, after the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) conditionally approved $47.5 million towards ENGIE’s renewable hydrogen and ammonia project near Karratha in Western Australia.

The $87 million Yuri project includes a 10 megawatt (MW) electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen, 18 MW solar PV system to power the electrolyser and an 8 MW/5 MWh lithium-ion battery for firming, it will supply hydrogen and electricity to Yara Pilbara Fertilisers at its neighbouring liquid ammonia facility. Once completed, the project will be Australia’s largest electrolyser, capable of producing up to 640 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year. The project is supported by the Australian Government with a $47.5 million grant. The project is also receiving $2 million funding from the Renewable Hydrogen Fund as part of the Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy. The project is expected to commence construction in October and be completed by early 2024. ENGIE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd (ENGIE) has formed a subsidiary called Yuri to develop the project. Mitsui & Co Ltd (Mitsui) has agreed to acquire a 28 percent stake in the Yuri subsidiary subject to satisfaction of certain conditions under its investment agreement. ENGIE and Mitsui intend to operate the Yuri project through this joint venture company. Electrolysers can utilise renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The renewable hydrogen produced can be used as a feedstock for chemicals such as ammonia, combusted for heat or electricity generation, or used as a zero emissions transport fuel.

The primary objective was to determine if, where and how NSW and Australia could increase participation in the global semiconductor value chain. A primary recommendation of the Australian Semiconductor Sector Study was that a Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B) be established. S3B will enhance the capability, workforce, market connectedness and competitiveness of NSW and Australia’s semiconductor sector, as well as addressing market frictions and failures that curtail NSW and Australia’s ability to participate in global semiconductor markets. S3B will be primarily funded by the NSW Government and in an address to the International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors 2022 it was announced that the S3B would be led by a consortium comprised of leading experts from the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, CSIRO and the Australian National Fabrication Facility. S3B will help local manufacturers play a role in global supply chains, creating new jobs and new revenue streams. It will help local manufacturers forge connections in the booming global semiconductor market, which is forecast to be worth $1.46 trillion by 2030.

NT to get advanced manufacturing facility

Manufacturers in the Northern Territory will get access to a multi-milliondollar advanced manufacturing facility housing robotic and bespoke automation products and services.

This will support the implementation of technology such as robotic welders, automated pick and pack systems and product inspection services. The project will see Diverseco and Charles Darwin University (CDU) co-develop four new robotic and automation micro credential qualifications tailored to the region, and boost local skills and knowledge in advanced processes and machinery for the industry. “This exciting collaboration will support the advancement of the NT’s manufacturing industry by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities in the defence, transport, logistics, agriculture, mining and waste industries,” Minister for Advanced Manufacturing Nicole Manison said. “Growing the Territory’s advanced manufacturing industry is a key part of our strategy to grow the economy to 40 billion by 2030 and create more jobs.”

Boosting Australia’s semiconductor capabilities

In December 2020, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer published the Australian Semiconductor Sector Study that examined Australia’s semiconductor sector’s capabilities, needs and opportunities.

CSIRO makes knowledge on hydrogen accessible

The Hydrogen Knowledge Centre, part of CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission, has been designed to foster collaboration between the growing Australian hydrogen industry, government and research and development (R&D) ecosystems, by providing regularly updated information on policies, projects, research and resources.

CSIRO’s Larry Marshall, Vicky Au and Patrick Hartley discuss CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said Australia is well placed to use hydrogen to create billions of dollars of GDP growth through long-lasting jobs, exports and domestic use, while helping drive down emissions. “CSIRO began research into hydrogen fuel to help catalyse a new industry in Australia that would fill the economic gap being created by the transition away from fossil fuels. Australia is now realising the potential for hydrogen to reduce its emissions and create new economic wealth, thanks to early investment in research,” Dr Marshall said. “With a strong coalition of partners from government, research and industry, we launched our Hydrogen Industry Mission last year – the first of our missions. “We’re seeing the hydrogen industry in Australia go from strength to strength – Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could generate significant economic growth while helping drive down emissions.” “The Hydrogen Knowledge Centre will be a central point of critical information for hydrogen R&D in Australia. It will help avoid duplication, and will foster the Team Australia approach needed for Australia to take a world-leading role in developing and exporting hydrogen.” Across the Hydrogen Knowledge Centre, users can access a broad range of information, from interactive modelling tools forecasting the future cost of hydrogen, based on technology deployment and energy use, through to educational resources explaining the basics of hydrogen and its use in the energy mix. A new module – HyLearning is now accessible in addition to two existing modules, HyResource and HyResearch. A new Industry Map, also part of the knowledge centre, will highlight all of the current projects across Australia, and allow users to filter searches by project proponents, end-use and development status. The Knowledge Centre will also feature resources developed by partners and collaborators in the Australian hydrogen industry. CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission spokesperson, Dr Vicky Au, said the new map showed 85 current hydrogen projects being driven by industry across Australia. “These resources are being developed with state and federal governments, industry and R&D partners to capture and promote hydrogen projects and industry developments across Australia,” Dr Au said. “The delivery of the knowledge centre is an important milestone for our Hydrogen Industry Mission because it helps connects the dots for all the players involved across the sector. According to Australian government estimates, Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.

More information is available at

www.research.csiro.au/hydrogenknowledge

General Briefs

Australian Manufacturing Week

Australian Manufacturing Week was held over four days in Sydney’s International Convention Centre with 170 exhibitors across a range of sectors who presented their latest technology and services to attendees from every state across Australia and all around the world. In fact, more than 2000 attendees came from Australia, with 1649 CEOS, general managers or owners.

Australia produces half the world’s lithium

The shift toward a clean energy economy has lithium classed as a critical metal and Australia is becoming a manufacturing hub for lithium-ion batteries as it is the largest producer of lithium, producing around half the world’s lithium as hard rock lithium concentrate. In 2021, Western Australian mines produced about half the world’s lithium, at an estimate of 55,000 metric tons. The last 12 months have seen an increase in lithium battery manufacturing in Australia. In 2021, Energy Renaissance based in the Hunter Region in NSW, became Australia’s pilot lithium-ion battery production facility.

Cathode Precursor Pilot Plant

The Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) has launched its flagship project in Western Australia. The Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant is backed by 19 industry, research and Government participants, representing a major step in Australia’s journey to expand its presence throughout the global battery value chain. The first of its kind in Australia, the plant will establish the technology and capabilities for Australia to design and build cathode precursor manufacturing facilities on a commercial and industrial scale.

Scotland and Australia agree to help each other build ships

Scottish and Australian researchers have struck a new agreement to strengthen collaboration on modern manufacturing methods that could be adapted to shipbuilding and marine operations underway in both hemispheres. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and Flinders University in Adelaide and BAE Systems is key to the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Exchange to foster closer working relationships and facilitate the development of international best practice for shipbuilding manufacturing methods and processes. This includes exploring innovative applications of advanced manufacturing, digital tools and Industry 4.0 in shipbuilding, spanning automation and robotics, simulation and modelling, materials and light weighting, as well as welding and joining technologies. An exchange of expertise and collaboration at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Factory of the Future at the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide will help drive the growth of advanced manufacturing for shipbuilding in the UK and SA, by strengthening prospects for the adoption of groundbreaking manufacturing technologies and processes.