Realising the hydrogen dream

A hydrogen storage tank

Hydrogen is now seen as the clean energy commodity of the future due to its versatility in power generation, storage, industrial heating, decarbonising gas networks and zero emission fuel-cell vehicles. It is unique among liquid and gaseous fuels in that it emits absolutely no CO2 emissions when combusted.

This year saw us working with a variety of clients to explore a range of opportunities for hydrogen, particularly in the hard-to-abate sectors.

We believe both dramatic and incremental improvement – solutions large and small – are required to harness the opportunities we see on the horizon, while addressing the challenges at hand.

The global adoption of hydrogen is likely to accelerate as countries race to be the first to realise the hydrogen dream. Global low carbon hydrogen demand is currently estimated to reach 82 MT by 2040 but forecasts for the hydrogen required to achieve net zero are even higher than this at 150 MT by 2030 and 520 MT by 2050.

GHD is proud to have secured its market position in hydrogen this year, working at the leading edge of some of the boldest hydrogen projects in the world. GHD is now delivering hydrogen related services in all areas of its global footprint

Hydrogen: A technical challenge and a professional responsibility

At GHD, we have embraced this necessary transition as more than an intellectual or technical challenge; it is also our professional responsibility. The connected team of GHD advisors and engineers working across the value chain are uniquely placed to make a positive difference for clients around the world.

Our hydrogen experts from across four geographies completed an international technical and gap assessment of hydrogen blending in natural gas for the Pipeline Research Council International, a globally known industry authority. This project included analysis of more than 340 reference documents and collaboration with a team of experts from 20 external stakeholder organisations across three continents – North America, Europe and Australia.

In Western Australia, GHD has been appointed Owner’s Engineer for the Clean Energy Innovation Park (CEIP) project, expected to be Australia’s first, and possibly largest, commercial scale green hydrogen supply chain project.

CEIP is being constructed by integrated energy, housing, transportation and infrastructure solutions provider ATCO in a joint venture with Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG). The project includes a 10MW hydrogen electrolyser unit that will be embedded within the 184MW Warradarge Wind Farm, just under 250 kilometres north of Perth.

The project is progressing through the final stages towards financial close before construction, planned to commence in 2022. ATCO has engaged GHD to assist with FEED engineering in the lead up to achieving financial close with their financiers and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), who provided a substantial grant to their CEIP project.

In South Australia, GHD is delivering blue hydrogen-related studies that have the potential to pave the way towards large-scale export of hydrogen. The concept study is focused on the production of hydrogen from natural gas using technology that facilitates maximum CO2 capture on a lifecycle basis, thereby minimizing the carbon footprint.

Bringing Net Zero 2050 closer

The results of this work are already proving invaluable to companies that are considering their hydrogen opportunities. We’re proud to be developing projects that will form the basis of further studies, ultimately advancing industries and communities towards a future of affordable, reliable, secure and low-carbon energy.