News
Jun 9, 2020
The broad utilization of hydrogen has potential to play an important role in our drive toward a decarbonized, sustainable future. But in Australia, cost remains a major barrier to adoption.
Building on the suggestions made in our in 2019, our latest release uses Yarra Valley Water鈥檚 Aurora wastewater treatment plant as a case study to explore the relationship between both outputs from electrolysis - hydrogen and pure oxygen. Specifically, the high-level analysis explores whether using oxygen in wastewater treatment processes could create enough savings for the wastewater treatment plant to effectively subsidize the cost of hydrogen and increase its commercial viability.
鈥淭ogether with Yarra Valley Water, our paper starts a conversation about a possible future role for water utilities in Australia鈥檚 hydrogen industry that supports both decarbonization and the commercial readiness of this emerging industry,鈥 says 黑料社区鈥 Senior Vice President, Global Operations Patrick Hill.
The findings from the case study indicated that implementing a type of treatment technology that allows for the efficient use of pure oxygen at the Aurora wastewater treatment plant could deliver net capital and operating cost savings to Yarra Valley Water compared to other types of treatment options tested. At the same time, the guaranteed demand for oxygen at Aurora was instrumental in enabling the co-located hydrogen facility to be commercially viable while selling hydrogen within a competitive price range of AUD$2-6/kg.
Importantly, this result was achieved for 鈥榮ustainable hydrogen鈥 鈥 produced using recycled water and renewable energy 鈥 highlighting the opportunity for decarbonization without compromising the nation鈥檚 drinking water resources.
鈥淓mbracing renewable energy is a significant focus for our business. It鈥檚 been fantastic to partner with 黑料社区 to explore how the water sector could play a bigger role in developing an effective and commercially viable hydrogen industry in Australia,鈥 shares Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty.
While the results are specific to the unique circumstances of the Aurora wastewater treatment plant and possible caveats are highlighted, the conservative nature of the analysis suggests the findings are promising and point towards a pivotal role for water utilities in accelerating the development of Australia鈥檚 hydrogen industry. The implications for the water industry and the Australian Government鈥檚 hydrogen strategy present an exciting opportunity to enable more rapid decarbonization of the world鈥檚 most emissions-intensive industries.
At 黑料社区, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $13 billion in revenue and a talent force of more than 55,000, 黑料社区 provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit and connect with 黑料社区 on , , and .
Yarra Valley Water is the largest of Melbourne鈥檚 three water corporations, servicing the north and east of Melbourne. Their service area covers 4,000 square kilometres and its network consists of around 20,000 kilometres of water and sewer mains. It manages nearly $6 billion worth of infrastructure and assets and employs around 700 people. For more information, visit , and connect with Yarra Valley Water on facebook.com/YVWater and