What is Australia’s Play for Hydrogen? – with SEC / Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia

Exploring Hydrogen

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Exploring Hydrogen, host Andy Marsland embarks on an enlightening conversation with Joanna Kay, a leading voice in the renewable hydrogen sector. Joanna serves as the Executive General Manager of the Smart Energy Council and leads Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, advocating for hydrogen as a key to the decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.

Joanna offers a comprehensive overview of how hydrogen fits into Australia’s renewable energy landscape, from its potential role in industries like transportation and manufacturing to the challenges of scaling production and adoption. The conversation delves into the critical importance of certification programs for ensuring hydrogen production remains truly green, meeting rigorous environmental standards.

Together, they explore Australia's place in the global hydrogen conversation, comparing national efforts to those of international leaders like the European Union, the US, and Japan. Joanna also highlights the role of government incentives and global standards in shaping the future of green hydrogen and explains why ensuring harmonised certification is key for building a sustainable hydrogen economy worldwide.

Key Topics Discussed:

Introduction to the Smart Energy Council and Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia:
Joanna explains the work of the Smart Energy Council, which has been active in Australia for decades, representing the renewable energy value chain, including solar, batteries, wind, and hydrogen. Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, established in 2018, focuses on both domestic and international hydrogen applications and derivative products like green ammonia and green metals.

Hydrogen Certification and Global Standards:
Hydrogen can be produced using various methods, not all of which are green. Joanna highlights the importance of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia’s certification program—the only industry-led initiative in Australia—that ensures green hydrogen projects meet the global standard of less than one kilogram of carbon per kilogram of hydrogen. The discussion also explores how different countries define green hydrogen and the challenges of aligning these definitions to promote global trade and cooperation.

Comparing Australia’s Hydrogen Standards to Global Leaders:
Joanna and Andy discuss how Australia’s standards stack up against global leaders like the European Union and the United States, which have different carbon intensity thresholds for what they define as green hydrogen. They explore the complexities of developing a unified global standard and the opportunities it presents for Australia as an emerging leader in the green hydrogen space.

The Role of Government and Public Funding:
Joanna provides insights into how government incentives, such as the production tax credits in Australia, are playing a crucial role in supporting the growth of the hydrogen sector. They also explore recent findings from the International Energy Agency, which suggest that with proper public funding, green hydrogen could become the most cost-competitive hydrogen source by 2030, surpassing alternatives like blue hydrogen.

Future Vision for Hydrogen in Australia:
Joanna outlines the next steps for Australia’s hydrogen industry, including the expansion of green hydrogen into industrial processes, the potential for international trade, and how certification will play a key role in ensuring transparency and environmental accountability. She also shares examples of successfully certified projects, like Bristol Springs and Yarra International, which demonstrate Australia’s capability to deliver green hydrogen.

Notable Quotes:

• “What we're focused on is making sure hydrogen produced in Australia is genuinely green—meaning zero emissions. Blue hydrogen, which relies on carbon capture, may have its place as a transition fuel, but we’re advocating for true decarbonisation.” – Joanna Kay
• “By 2030, green hydrogen could outcompete all other forms of hydrogen globally if public funding is directed towards supporting its production.” – Joanna Kay

Episode Highlights:

1. Deep Dive into Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia:
   Joanna details the mission and structure of Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, a division of the Smart Energy Council, which has been at the forefront of developing renewable hydrogen initiatives and projects across Australia. With over 200 members involved in hydrogen projects, the organisation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of hydrogen in Australia.
2. The Importance of Certification in Hydrogen Production:
   Hydrogen certification ensures that green hydrogen projects meet strict carbon emission standards. Joanna explains the technical challenges of maintaining global consistency in certification and why it is essential for promoting international hydrogen trade and reducing the carbon footprint of industrial processes.
3. Global Comparisons of Hydrogen Standards:
   Joanna and Andy discuss the variations in hydrogen standards across different countries. For example, the US and EU have different carbon limits per kilogram of hydrogen, which impacts how hydrogen is classified as green. They also explore the potential for global harmonisation of these standards to facilitate international hydrogen markets.
4. Australia’s Role as a Hydrogen Leader:
   Joanna shares exciting details about Australia's growing influence in the hydrogen space, including key projects that have been certified as green hydrogen and the country's potential to become a significant player in the global green hydrogen market. She also talks about the importance of aligning state and national standards to strengthen Australia’s position.
5. The Future of Green Hydrogen:
   Joanna discusses the potential for green hydrogen to become the leading source of clean energy globally, driven by advancements in technology, government incentives, and growing demand for decarbonisation. With global targets on the horizon, Australia is well-positioned to lead the charge.

Resources Mentioned:

• Smart Energy Council: https://smartenergy.org.au/
• Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia: https://smartenergy.org.au/zero-carbon-hydrogen-australia/
• IEA Report – the future of Hydrogen: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen
• Green Hydrogen Catapult Paper on Emissions accounting https://gh2.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/H2-Emissions-Accounting-White-Paper-Sept%202024-compressed.pdf
• Joanna’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/joanna-kay-057437216
• ZHCA LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/zero-carbon-hydrogen-australia/
• Australia’s 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/publications/australias-national-hydrogen-strategy

Joanna’s full bio:

Joanna Kay is a highly respected voice in the renewable hydrogen landscape, holding the pos...