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Exploring Hydrogen

Exploring Hydrogen

By: Andy Marsland
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 Join Andy Marsland in exploring Hydrogen Energy where you will learn about the exciting advancements, opportunities and challenges of this nascent energy sector. We delve into how hydrogen can contribute to the decarbonisation of Australia and the world, and investigate what it is going to take for its adoption into transportation, industry and society.Stellar Recruitment Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • How to Produce Green Ammonia for Under US$300 Per Tonne – with Element One

    How to Produce Green Ammonia for Under US$300 Per Tonne – with Element One
    Apr 22 2025
    How to Produce Green Ammonia for under US$300 per tonne – With Element One Overview: In this episode, Andy Marsland explores the latest advancements in hydrogen and ammonia technologies with Phil Matthews and Troy Philpot. They discuss the potential of hydrogen and ammonia in the green energy sector, focusing on their commercial viability, practical applications, and the innovative technologies developed by Element One which are a potential game changer for the industry. Guests: Phil Matthews - Managing Director of Element One· Phil is the Managing Director at Element One, where he has dedicated over a decade to advancing the green energy sector. With a specialised focus on hydrogen derivatives, Phil has driven significant research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing renewable energy applications. Phil's academic foundation in Environmental Science and Sustainable Energy Management underpins his commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions for the future. His notable technological contributions include the development of Kraktek, an innovative ammonia reformer and hydrogen purification technology, as well as Ammoniac, a cutting-edge solution for renewable ammonia synthesis.Troy Philpot - Director of Origination at BE Power Group and consultant to Element One· Troy is the Director – Origination for the BE Power group of companies. BE Power have over 18GWh of pumped hydro and energy storage projects, totalling around $6B in construction value, under development across Australia. He has over a decade of experience in high voltage electrical infrastructure, services and energy transition projects, with the commercial arm of Energy Queensland, as well as a background in commercial strategy, marketing and business development. Troy supports the Element One team, with insights into commercial viability, potential industry partnerships and helps drive innovation opportunities.Key Topics:1. Introduction to Element One:· Phil Matthews introduces Element One, highlighting its focus on hydrogen carriers and the development of innovative technologies, Kraktek and Ammoniac.· The company's mission is to revolutionise hydrogen storage and transportation.2. Hydrogen Carriers and Transportation:· Discussion on the inefficiencies of current hydrogen storage and transportation methods.· Comparison between liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, and ammonia as hydrogen carriers.· Phil's views on the volumetric energy density of hydrogen and the advantages of ammonia.3. Ammonia as a Hydrogen Carrier:· Benefits of using ammonia for hydrogen storage and transportation include existing infrastructure and higher energy density.· Comparison of ammonia tankers with liquid hydrogen ships in terms of practicality and energy efficiency.4. Innovative Technologies:· Introduction to Kraktek, an ammonia reformer.· The efficiency and purity of hydrogen produced using Crack Tech achieve 99.9999% purity.· Development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer alternative for hydrogen storage and transportation.5. Commercial Viability:· Troy Philpot discusses the economic advantages of Element One's technologies, emphasising cost-effectiveness and green credentials.· Discussion of how to produce green ammonia for under USD300 per tonne. · The potential for ammonia to be a cheaper and greener alternative to traditional hydrocarbons.6. Safety and Practicality:· Addressing the toxicity of ammonia and how Element One's solutions mitigate these concerns.· The development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer, room-temperature liquid for hydrogen storage and transportation.7. Future Prospects:· Potential applications of these technologies in various industries, including transportation, mining, and agriculture.· The importance of industry partnerships and the role of universities in advancing these technologies.· The challenges of gaining acceptance and the need for first movers to adopt these technologies.8. Current Challenges:· There are difficulties in proving the technology and gaining wider acceptance.· There is a need for industry players with deeper pockets to adopt and scale these technologies.· The potential for overseas adoption before widespread use in Australia. Conclusion: Andy, Phil, and Troy wrap up the episode by highlighting the transformative potential of ammonia technologies in achieving a sustainable energy future. They emphasise the need for continued innovation and collaboration to overcome current challenges and make these technologies commercially viable. Call to Action:· Subscribe to the "Exploring Hydrogen" podcast for more insights into the hydrogen energy sector.· Follow ...
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    50 mins
  • The State of Hydrogen – current opportunities and challenges. A perspective from the forefront of hydrogen research and development – With Central Queensland University

    The State of Hydrogen – current opportunities and challenges. A perspective from the forefront of hydrogen research and development – With Central Queensland University
    Apr 4 2025

    The State of Hydrogen – current opportunities and challenges. A perspective from the forefront of hydrogen research and development – With Central Queensland University

    Episode Summary: In this episode, Andy Marsland welcomes Paul Hodgson to discuss the advancements, opportunities, and challenges in the hydrogen energy sector. Paul shares his extensive experience and insights into the role of hydrogen in decarbonising Australia and the world, focusing on its applications in transportation, industry, and society.

    Paul Hodgson is Executive Director Regional Futures – Energy Transitions, and Director of the Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy at CQUniversity Australia. He is also Chair of Queensland Manufacturing Institute and Vice Chair of the Hydrogen Flight Alliance.

    Prior to joining CQUniversity earlier last year, Paul was Interim CEO of a bid for a Scaling Green Hydrogen Cooperative Research Centre, developing a 10-year $213m research and training program with the support of 97 partners from 12 countries. Between 2017 and 2021, Paul was General Manager Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement (East Coast) for the Australian energy industry growth centre, NERA, where he led the development of a national network of regional hydrogen technology clusters.

    Key Topics Discussed:

    1. Paul Hodgson's Background:
      • Roles at CQUniversity, Queensland Manufacturing Institute, and Hydrogen Flight Alliance.
      • Passion for regional development and sustainable energy.
    2. Hydrogen's Role in Decarbonisation:
      • Hydrogen as a tool for hard-to-abate sectors.
      • Importance of decarbonising existing hydrogen production.
    3. Current State of Hydrogen Projects:
      • Federal funding for low carbon liquid fuels.
      • Challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen sector.
      • The need for fewer, more collaborative projects.
    4. Hydrogen in Industry:
      • Applications in ammonia production, steel industry, and refining fuels.
      • Potential for hydrogen to replace LNG and coal exports.
    5. Challenges and Future Directions:
      • Importance of foundational work in safety, regulations, and community engagement.
      • The role of government and industry collaboration.
      • The need for a strong foundation to support commercial viability.
    6. Research and Innovation at CQUniversity:
      • Focus on reducing hydrogen production costs.
      • Projects on raw water electrolysis and utilising excess solar energy.
      • Collaboration with international partners and other universities.
    7. Global Hydrogen Landscape:
      • Australia's position and potential in the global hydrogen market.
      • Comparison with other countries' progress in hydrogen development.

    Notable Quotes:

    • "Hydrogen is now being seen much more sensibly as a tool in a toolkit for things that are hard to abate."
    • "The world will do this with or without Australia. There are lots of competitors out there."
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    31 mins
  • An Australian perspective on emission free air travel- with Stralis Aircraft

    An Australian perspective on emission free air travel- with Stralis Aircraft
    Dec 6 2024

    Bio: Bob has 20 years of international aerospace experience, the past 8 of which he has worked on the cutting edge of electric aircraft innovation. He supported Heart Aerospace and Ampaire with electric propulsion system engineering development. He was an early member of the magniX leadership team, helping define company strategy, product roadmap, and certification as Head of Aircraft Integration. Earlier in his career, Bob worked at Google X on the Makani project and held lead positions in Saab, Airbus, UTC, Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing aircraft programs. Bob studied aerospace engineering at UNSW and went through Y Combinator in W23. At Stralis, Bob drives company strategy and manages the finances, leads fundraising and customer sales, and supports the engineering team with his extensive knowledge and expertise.


    Welcome to Exploring Hydrogen, the podcast that delves into the emerging hydrogen energy sector's innovations, opportunities, and challenges. In this episode, host Andy Marsland speaks with Bob Criner, co-founder and CEO of Stralis Aircraft. With over 20 years of aerospace experience, including cutting-edge electric propulsion innovation, Bob shares insights into how hydrogen is revolutionising aviation and what it means for the future of travel.

    Introduction to Stralis Aircraft

    • Stralis’ mission: Emission-free hydrogen-electric propulsion for aviation.
    • Breakthrough in lightweight, high-temperature PEM fuel cells enabling long-distance hydrogen-powered flights.
    • Progress towards first flight of Stralis’ demonstrator aircraft by late 2025


    The Hydrogen Advantage in Aviation

    • Comparison of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen, and batteries for decarbonisation.
    • Why hydrogen electric is the cost-efficient solution for flights up to 3,000 km.
    • The potential for reducing ticket prices and enhancing regional connectivity.


    Technology and Innovation

    • Stralis’ propulsion system: Liquid hydrogen tanks, innovative fuel cells, and electric motors.
    • Efficiency breakthrough
    • Developing robust and scalable systems for future commercial applications.

    Challenges in Hydrogen Adopt

    the Hydrogen Flight Alliance, including key partnerships with Brisbane Airport, QUT, and Fortescue.


    Future Vision for Aviation

    • Scaling hydrogen technology from small regional aircraft to larger fleets.
    • Long-term goal: 50-seat aircraft with 50% lower operating costs, reshaping point-to-point travel.
    • Potential to reignite regional air travel with cheaper, cleaner, and more convenient flights.


    Hydrogen Beyond Passenger Planes

    • Expanding hydrogen technology into cargo drones for extended range and payload capabilities.
    • Accelerating commercial adoption through real-world applications and partnerships.


    Insights for Startups in the Hydrogen Sector

    • Lessons learned from Y Combinator and the importance of founder communities.
    • Strategies for navigating the funding landscape and fostering innovation in Australia.

    Key Quotes:

    "Hydrogen electric propulsion could redefine how we think about regional air travel—cleaner, cheaper, and more connected." – Bob Criner
    "With innovations in fuel cell efficiency and lightweight design, we’re unlocking the future of long-range, emission-free aviation." – Bob Criner

    Resources & Links:

    • Learn more about Stralis Aircraft: Stralis Website
    • Connect with the Hydrogen Flight Alliance: HFA.Aero
    • Stay updated with Stralis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stralis-aircraft/


    Join the Journey
    Thank you for tuning in to Exploring Hydrogen! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends and colleagues. See you next time as we explore more ways hydrogen shapes a sustainable future.

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    30 mins
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