The production of hydrogen as a COVID-19 economic recovery strategy in NSW could see Port Kembla become a central hub in the creation of a new industry and thousands of jobs.
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The potential opportunities hydrogen could deliver the state have been identified in a new report from NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Former Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) chairman and BP Australasia regional president Greg Bourne said there have been some encouraging comments about a green led recovery made by NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean.
Mr Bourne said renewable hydrogen made economic and environmental sense. And Port Kembla was a perfect location because there is so much engineering innovation and scientific expertise near well established port infrastructure.
He said any decision by the government to make changes and grab opportunities in the domestic and export market was exciting because Australia has the potential to generate renewable energy far in excess of what it needs for domestic use. And has the ability to turn its growing resource of solar and wind energy into a major export industry.
Mr Bourne encouraged Mr Kean to keep exploring the potential for NSW.
Renewable energy expert and Clean Energy Finance Corporation head Oliver Yates said hydrogen provided an economic opportunity that could not only create many jobs but help tackle climate change.
"Any assistance to get the hydrogen economy underway would be a real step in the right direction. People don't really understand how significant the opportunity is for Australia in its ability to produce and use low cost power which it now has from renewables. You can convert that into almost anything."
Mr Yates said one area that low cost renewable power can be used is in the production of hydrogen which can then be used for so many things. He said there was already a good economic case for hydrogen to replace diesel in heavy fuel transport.
He said Australia presently imports $40 billion in liquid fuels a year and moving down the hydrogen path was a step towards keeping all that money here.
"If you understand electricity can make fuel and make natural gas through a hydrogen step, then you open so many doors for Australia. The thing about using renewable energy is this is a sustainable opportunity. We can continue to have this competitive advantage year-after-year."
Mr Yates said along with being an export centre Port Kembla has the opportunity to be the home for many heavy industrial processes using renewable energy.
"All heavy industrial processes use power and power can be produced cheaply through a renewable energy," he said.
Mr Yates said the key was being able to deliver the affordable power to the market where it is needed.
"It means Australia can go back to its status of being an energy superpower," he said.
"And it will be very sustainable and very long term".
Both Mr Bourne and Mr Yates were aware of the Port Kembla Gas Terminal and H2X hydrogen car developments at the port but said there were so many more opportunities.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
