Fyfe’s hydrogen and engineering experts are pleased to support Lion Energy realise its strategic 2MW hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the Port of Brisbane.
Overview
Lion Energy is making a significant contribution towards decarbonising Queensland. The company’s inaugural hydrogen generation and refuelling station, strategically located at the Port of Brisbane, will offer an innovative zero-emissions energy solution.
Queensland’s bus operators are set to be the first to benefit from Lion Energy’s refuelling station, with heavy vehicle operators the company’s next target market.
The Port of Brisbane refuelling station will operate on a hub-and-spoke model. Once the central generation and distribution hub is operational, spokes (storage and refuelling dispensers) can be constructed upon demand in transport operators’ depots.
Interest in hydrogen-powered bus transport is increasing worldwide. Tests in Germany and Spain have demonstrated that hydrogen buses delivered on efficiency and sustainability.
In Australia, two hydrogen buses are part of a trial in Victoria where six operators are rolling out 52 zero-emission buses state-wide. From 2025 onwards, all new buses purchased for Victoria’s public transport system will be zero emissions.
Washington-based research firm, Information Trends, predicts that more than 650,000 hydrogen fuel cell buses will be sold globally by 2037. It also predicts that fuel cell buses will reach price parity with battery-electric buses soon.
Queensland Premier, Dr. Steven Miles has announced a $1.5 million investment in hydrogen buses under the state Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund. The Queensland Government has committed to making 100% of eligible Queensland Government fleet passenger vehicles zero-emissions by 2026.
Lion Energy’s hydrogen hub will play a significant role in making this goal a reality.
Our approach
Fyfe’s early-stage design documents enabled Lion to secure development approval from the Port of Brisbane for the project. Development approval was required for planning permission, making this a critical step that allowed the project to begin in earnest.
Working with data provided by the equipment manufacturers, we produced high-quality engineering designs that could be presented to the Port. Lion drew on the strength of our multi-discipline engineering teams across Australia to secure development approval for the refuelling station.
The project has now received development approval and Fyfe has been contracted to provide front-end engineering design (FEED) services.
Working with the equipment manufacturers, our next task was making sure the two 1MW high pressure alkaline electrolysers and supporting equipment met and exceeded Australian standards (AS22734), and the international standards that govern hydrogen generation and refuelling equipment (ISO 19880 series).
This involves meticulous inspection of the data provided, the equipment itself, and how it will integrate into the balance of plant (BOP).
Fyfe also conducted multiple hazard and operability studies (HAZOP) for the refuelling station. These HAZOPs identify hazards to people, equipment and the environment, while highlighting any operability issues that could affect the refuelling station’s efficiency.
Handling electrolysers and their supporting equipment, recommending additional safety features, as well as delivering reliable and robust FEED designs within specified timeframes and budget, is no small feat.
Fyfe’s role and responsibilities
Our work on the project so far has covered:
- Developing engineering design deliverables to facilitate development applications to the Port of Brisbane
- Execution of compressors, high pressure alkaline electrolysers, hydrogen storage tube trailers, hydrogen refuelling equipment, and balance of plant design reviews and HAZOPs
- Integration of vendor packages into the balance of plant design
- Completed multi-discipline FEED engineering deliverables for process, mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, civil and structural disciplines
- RPEQ verification of all hydrogen refuelling equipment to ensure compliance to Australian safety standards.
Fyfe is proud to be part of the hydrogen generation and refuelling hub project. An initiative that is on track to help Queensland meet its decarbonisation goals, and an initiative that can serve as a roadmap for other hydrogen mobility projects in the transportation and logistics sectors.
To discuss how the Fyfe team can deliver value on your hydrogen infrastructure or generation project, please contact us.
