Japanese oil and gas firm Eneos is working with Australian utility Origin Energy to study the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Australia.

Origin will focus on use of renewable energy and water electrolysis cells for hydrogen production in Queensland, while Eneos will aim to produce methylcyclohexane more efficiently and cheaply in an effort to use it as a carrier for transporting hydrogen to—and storing it in—Japan.

Hydrogen is inefficient and expensive to ship in its pure form because it needs to be cooled to very low temperatures.

Eneos' existing petroleum-related infrastructure—including tankers, storage sites and dehydrogenation facilities—can be utilised in the hydrogen supply chain.

The two companies hope to access government support from the Green Innovation Fund in Japan and state funds in Australia. Eneos has established a similar agreement with French renewable energy producer Neoen.

Queensland has 6GW of renewable capacity already, mostly solar power. The Queensland Hydrogen Taskforce has been established to fast-track the development, production, export and use of hydrogen in the state, helping it meets its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The strategy highlights the state’s proximity to Asian markets and its existing port infrastructure. 

 

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Author: Tom Young