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."

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.

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges

A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.

Chris Dolman is the Business Development Manager for BOC. He’s been working across a number of areas including hydrogen to biomethane and other Gaseous vectors.

BOC is part of the Linde Group, one of the world's largest industrial gas and engineering companies and it operates in over 100 countries. The company supplies a wide range of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which are essential for various industries such as healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.

Globally, Linde plc employs approximately 65,000 people and its operations include production facilities, distribution networks, and extensive research and development activities, making it a critical supplier of industrial gases and engineering solutions worldwide.

● BOC's Role in the Hydrogen Industry

○ Supplying hydrogen globally for over 80 years

○ Operating 170 hydrogen production plants worldwide

○ Transitioning from traditional uses of hydrogen to focusing on hydrogen as an energy vector

● Supply Chain Challenges

○ Impact of COVID-19 on international supply chains

○ Australia’s unique standards and challenges in hydrogen production

○ Difficulties in sourcing specialised equipment like electrolyser stacks and spare parts

● Technical and Engineering Challenges

○ Managing electrolyser "turn-down rates" and balancing plant sizing

○ The complexity of "plug and play" refueler systems

○ Localising skills for hydrogen project engineering and maintenance

● Australia's Hydrogen Projects

○ Insights from the BP-BOC Queensland refuelling project and Toyota Eco Park project

○ Hydrogen buses in Victoria and South Australia as a success story

○ Challenges and cost pressures in hydrogen hub projects, such as the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub

● Lessons for the Future of Hydrogen

○ Importance of having critical spare parts and skilled local workers

○ The need for collaboration within the hydrogen supply chain

○ Australia’s limitations in the hydrogen truck market due to right-hand drive and specialised truck configurations (e.g., B-doubles)

Key Takeaways:

This episode highlights the challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen energy sector, particularly from an Australian perspective. It emphasises the need for collaboration, innovation, and local skill development to overcome supply chain constraints and technical obstacles. The discussion also underscores the importance of planning for long-term growth in hydrogen projects, from sourcing materials to building local expertise.

Links

● linkedin.com/in/chris-dolman-b2509710

● https://www.boc-limited.com.au/en/index.html

Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges

A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.

Laurent Van Helden is Director of sales and market development with Plug Power in Australia.

Plug Power is a leading provider of hydrogen electrolyser and fuel cell systems. Founded in 1997, New York, the company focuses on developing and commercialising clean energy solutions The company's fuel cell technology is used by major corporations, including Amazon and Walmart, to power their fleets of electric forklifts and other industrial vehicles.

Plug Power's electrolysers are designed to support large-scale hydrogen production for various industries, including transportation, power generation, and industrial applications. The company has made significant investments in expanding its electrolyser manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing global demand for clean hydrogen.

Key Discussion Points:

● PlugPower's Journey: Laurent shares PlugPower’s transition from producing hydrogen fuel cells for electric forklifts to becoming a key player in hydrogen production through the development of electrolysers. Starting with their acquisition of Giner in 2020, PlugPower has scaled up to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen.

● Electrolyser Deployment in Australia:
Laurent explains how PlugPower is delivering one-megawatt electrolyser units to Australia. He details the process of adjusting their European-designed systems to comply with Australian standards, including electrical requirements and hazardous area certifications. This required extensive collaboration with Australian engineers and regulatory bodies.

● Overcoming Standards and Compliance Challenges:
The conversation dives into the differences between European and Australian standards, such as the need to redesign units to meet Australian electrical clearances and hazardous area documentation. PlugPower appointed local experts to ensure compliance with Australian WorkSafe regulations and engaged clients throughout the process.

● Future Outlook:
Laurent reveals that PlugPower’s first electrolyser units in Australia are nearing completion and are set to begin operations within the next few months. With commissioning underway, PlugPower is on track to power Australia's hydrogen projects.

Key Takeaways:

● Collaboration and knowledge sharing are crucial to overcoming challenges in the hydrogen industry.

● Navigating different international standards is a major hurdle in global hydrogen infrastructure development.

● PlugPower’s ongoing projects in Australia are a testament to the growth and potential of the hydrogen sector in decarbonising industry and transportation.

Links

● https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-van-helden/

● https://www.plugpower.com/

Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges

A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.

Alistair Wardrope is the Technical Director & Co-Founder of Amarna Energy.

Alistair has been working in the renewable hydrogen industry since 2006, starting his career in ITM-Power, and moving into offshore wind and nuclear generation in the UK. He moved to Australia in 2013 working for Jemena, becoming the technical lead for renewable gases, heading up Jemena’s hydrogen demonstration plant and biomethane injection plant. Along with Andrew Lelliott, they co-founded Amarna in 2019, a specialist renewable energy consultancy, providing engineering and project management to a range of leading hydrogen and cutting-edge renewable technologies. Amarna has offices in Sydney and Brisbane and supports a range of projects in operation, construction, and various stages of development.

Andy is joined by Alistair Wardrope, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience in the hydrogen sector. Alistair shares his expertise on the current state of hydrogen in Australia, particularly focusing on the technical and logistical challenges of importing key equipment such as electrolysers, compressors, and gas storage units.

Throughout the episode, Alistair discusses:

● The immature hydrogen sector in Australia, especially regarding electrolyser technology.

● Common issues faced by hydrogen projects in Australia include compliance delays, installation problems, and quality control.

● The importance of collaboration within the hydrogen community to overcome these challenges.

● The relatively stable supply chain for compressed gas cylinders versus the more problematic areas like electrolysers and compressors.

● Lessons learned from working with hydrogen technologies across different sectors and regions.

Alistair also emphasises the need for patience and collaboration, as these early challenges are typical in any emerging industry. As hydrogen technologies scale up and become more refined, many of these issues will likely diminish over time. He encourages developers in Australia to focus on strengthening local supply chains while relying on proven global technology for core components.

Key Takeaways:

● The hydrogen sector is still in its early stages in Australia, with significant challenges related to the import of electrolyser technology.

● Supply chain issues are common but can be overcome with collaboration and shared industry knowledge.

● Developers should leverage local strengths in manufacturing and assembly to complement global technologies.

● Patience is key- scaling up a new industry always comes with teething pains, but lessons learned today will drive future progress.

Links

linkedin.com/in/alistair-wardrope-82183b24

https://www.amarnaenergy.com/

Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/