The Fyfe team investigated whether green hydrogen produced in Barcaldine could help meet peak-demand periods.
Our client, a leading energy company in the region, wanted to investigate options to harness renewable solar energy to power hydrogen electrolysers.
Overview
Fyfe was tasked with producing a concept study that showed how solar energy could be used to produce hydrogen, and how the green hydrogen could be stored for use when solar energy isn’t available, such as during peak demand periods.
A hydrogen compressor would allow hydrogen to be injected into the existing natural gas supply pipeline. This pipeline feeds the gas turbine that is being used to meet electrical peaking demand.
Barcaldine offers abundant solar resources, vast open land, and excellent existing connections to Australia’s national grid, making the region the ideal place for scalable and effective renewable energy projects.
The Federal Government recognises these advantages and is driving the rapid growth of the renewable hydrogen sector. In the 2024-2025 budget, it announced an $8 billion investment in hydrogen production and technology over the next 10 years.
Our role and responsibilities
The scope of our work involved conducting a detailed a concept study that encompassed several factors, including:
- Determining the size of the solar farm
- Sizing the potential hydrogen storage system
- Optimising the size of the hydrogen electrolyser
- Integrating any proposed hydrogen solution with the existing turbine.
Fyfe’s hydrogen team were also tasked with developing a presentation that our client could use for early funding efforts and Queensland Government engagement.
We performed a number of calculations as part of our study, including Wobbe index calculations (used to compare the combustion output of different composition fuels in a gaseous state) to ensure the hydrogen to natural gas mixture stays within the equipment’s original constraints.
Meanwhile energy modelling gave us optimised sizes for the required electrolyser, solar farm, and hydrogen storage capacity.
Australia is quickly emerging as a leader in renewable hydrogen production, thanks to key advantages including plentiful renewable energy resources, strong history as a reliable trading partner, government-owned infrastructure and proximity to international markets.
These factors, coupled with the Federal Government’s willingness to invest in hydrogen, mean the sunshine state is poised to develop a world-class hydrogen industry.
As an active partner in Australia’s hydrogen industry, we’re a go-to team for any hydrogen project or concept and feasibility study. Fyfe’s experience in the sector spans engineering, pipelining and supporting academic research.
To find out how we can add value to your next project, please contact us.
