Australia and Japan launch hydrogen supply chain study

Japanese petroleum company ENEOS Corporation and independent renewable energy provider Neoen will be exploring the development of a Japan-Australia hydrogen supply chain in South Australia.

Related: Australia and Germany sign alliance on green hydrogen supply chain

South Australia is leading the way in the production and export of renewable hydrogen, which presents the opportunity to create thousands of jobs into the future.

The state is also considered as one of the most developed regions in the world in terms of battery storage infrastructure.

Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson said the project will showcase South Australia’s resources and capabilities, not only to Japanese companies, but to companies from around the world looking to create opportunities in hydrogen in South Australia.

“The Department for Trade and Investment has been working with ENEOS and Neoen, providing support for site visits, introductions on the ground in South Australia and discussions in Japan through our Tokyo trade and investment office which will leverage opportunities to export hydrogen,” Minister Patterson said.

“Working with Japan, we can work towards exporting our excess renewable energy to help Japan decarbonise their energy usage and reduce their CO2 emissions,” he said.

He also said that the partnership will continue to promote the development of next-generation energy industries, including hydrogen and ammonia, as well as further planning for existing and future port facilities which can then be used as a base for hydrogen export to Japan.

The study by the two companies will examine the potential for the stable supply of affordable hydrogen produced from renewable energy in South Australia.

Specifically, Neoen will study stable renewable energy supply and water electrolysis cells for hydrogen production. ENEOS will be responsible for more efficient production of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and maritime transport of MCH as a form of hydrogen storage and transport from Australia to Japan.

The two companies will utilise the Green Innovation Fund in Japan and the Hydrogen Hub project in Australia to achieve early development of a CO2-free hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Australia.

Source: Stephen Patterson MP media release