A collaboration between Newcastle University-led CSIRO and industry, training, and advocacy groups, the Task Force has followed up on the Prime Minister’s visit by publishing the Hunter Hydrogen Roadmap 2021-2040.
The plan sets out three action phases: “preparation and piloting” from 2021 to 2025, “deployment and expansion” from 2025 to 2035, and “prosperity” after 2035.
Over the next four years, we are proposing to establish an organization to oversee the plan, appoint a hydrogen “ambassador”, develop the Hunter Hydrogen brand, establish a research demonstration site, and start an annual hydrogen conference.
This first step also assesses research opportunities, end-use demands, and training requirements.
In the second phase, we will expand the demonstration site to a “sustainable model” and actively promote the region as a hydrogen trading and investment center.
The final stages include “state-of-the-art research and development, innovation and commercialization of new technologies”, which will lead to successful exports.
Hydrogen, called green hydrogen when produced on renewable energy, is piped to homes and businesses for heating and cooking and used to power vehicles.
Hunters have a history of producing and processing hydrogen to produce derivatives such as ammonia, fertilizers and explosives.
Alice Thompson, a member of the Task Force and CEO of Hunter, said the roadmap identified “strategic enablers.”
Hunter’s established research, energy and port infrastructure “has made a good start … but now we need to act to maintain and grow our competitive advantage and risk of being left behind,” Thompson said. He said.
“We know that the development of the hunter hydrogen industry requires more than just projects and technologies.
“We need supplier-user mediation, workforce development, regulatory reform, new standards, safety training, complementary policies and programs, community support, investment concierge and promotion.”
