Australian Hydrogen Council

We’re approaching almost two years since the Inflation Reduction Act was legislated in the US. For the Australian Hydrogen Council, it has been an intense few years as we work with the Federal Government to develop a response that matches the ambition for Australia’s hydrogen industry and keeps us in the global race.   Last year, we put pen to paper and submitted a comprehensive position paper with 53 recommendations to the Federal Government as part of its National Hydrogen Strategy review. This has been the lifeblood of our policy work over the past 12 months.   In the Federal Budget last week, it was fantastic to see so many of our recommendations given life both in the big ticket items like the $6.7bn Hydrogen Production Tax Credit and $2b Hydrogen Headstart programs – and also within the detail that supports investment into the broader hydrogen ecosystem. Within the detail, we saw a "new front door for investors", the expansion of the mandate for Export Finance Australia's National Interest Account and the completion of the sustainable finance strategy and the issuance of Australia's green bonds. There is also funding to support the building of common user infrastructure such as ports and road transport.    Our work isn’t done and there is plenty of work needed to bring these policies to fruition. We’re looking forward to continue advocating for our members and the growing hydrogen and derivatives supply chains - across molecules, technology, metals, skills and the end uses that will play a critical role in reaching net zero.    We hope to see you all at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Brisbane on 12-13 September where we can discuss these policy developments, continue to share learnings and hear about the excellent work of our states including host partner Queensland Government! Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gUtKJEvv   #H2au #APACHydrogen2024 Sustainable Energy Council Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Queensland Government

The Australia-Japan Research Centre and the The Australian National University Japan Institute are hosting the ‘Japan Update’ in Canberra on 4 September.   This event will feature leading experts from Australia and Japan, offering deep insights into Japan's economy, politics, foreign policy, and energy policy.   Date: Wednesday 4 September Time: 9.00am-5.00pm Location: Molongo Theatre, Crawford School of Public Policy Building (ACT) & online   Featured speakers and panelists include: · Tomoko Hayashi: Director-General of the Economic Research Bureau and Chief Economist Cabinet Office, Government of Japan · Rumi Aoyama: Professor, Waseda University · Hiroshi Ohashi: Professor of Economics and Vice President, The University of Tokyo · Ryo Sahashi: Associate Professor of International Politics, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo · Shujiro Urata: Chair Emeritus, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gdTa-3Pr   #H2Au

Congratulations to AHC Member Fortescue for breaking ground on a $74.4m green iron plant project at its Christmas Creek Mine in the Pilbara, Western Australia. The Government of Western Australia said this was an important step towards realising a green iron industry in Western Australia. The plant is expected to produce a high-purity pig iron using green hydrogen that will be suitable in almost any steel plant globally. First production is expected by the end of 2025 to prove the technology and create a catalyst for the next generation of Australia's green iron industry. Fortescue's $33.8m Christmas Creek Renewable Hydrogen Mobility Project is also now operational. This includes a hydrogen refuelling hub located at Fortescue's Green Energy Hub. The gaseous and liquid hydrogen facility is supplying 10 hydrogen-fuel cell coaches, Fortescue’s Offboard Power Unit and its hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype which recently arrived at Christmas Creek. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gaQcnQJh #H2au #greeniron

The SA Government has opened its Green Iron Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission Portal, which is part of its commitment to investigating green iron and steel project pathways. The EOI invites businesses that are interested in jointly investigating development of a green iron industry in South Australia by 2030, to make a submission with information regarding their company or consortium and potential green iron supply chain projects. This is an important next step following the launch of SA Government's Green Iron and Steel Strategy in June and subsequent Industry Forum that AHC participated in with other industry stakeholders. EOIs are open until 1 October 2024 at 5pm. More information here: https://lnkd.in/guwhVe7r #H2au #greeniron

Our Australian Hydrogen Tech Showcase is back in 2024! Expressions of interest are now open for Australian hydrogen startups or SMEs developing innovative solutions to join us at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition on 12-13 September in Brisbane! Be one of six companies showcased, with great additional speaking and networking opportunities included in the package. Last year, our Australian Hydrogen Tech Showcase featured Rux Energy, Endua, Products For Industry (PFi), Sparc Hydrogen, Hadean Energy and HydGene Renewables. More information on this great opportunity below 👇. Submit your EOI by Friday 23 August to our General Manager for Industry and Supply Chain Development Leigh Kennedy at lkennedy@h2council.com.au. #H2au #APACHydrogen2024

It has been almost three weeks since AHC provided our submission to the Australian Government's Future Made in Australia (FMiA) Bill 2024.   Since then, there has been much debate about the FMiA. This is important, and we need to have these discussions.    AHC’s overall position is that the FMiA Bill represents a vital Australian Government response to changes in global supply chains and energy security, as well as a necessary step to reinvigorate Australian capabilities and grow economic complexity.   The energy transition is hugely challenging but it also presents an important opportunity for Australia to develop competitive advantage in renewable energy production, technology and use within the global marketplace, as well as ensuring ongoing prosperity in our region.   This is about providing a framework that provides both demand and supply incentives that ensure long-term success for the Australian economy, and support our net zero ambitions.   AHC is supportive of Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s critical role in developing new renewable energy technologies for the energy transition including hydrogen production and use.   Read AHC’s submission and recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/gP4DwE5T   #h2au 

AHC is holding a member only briefing in August with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).   We look forward to hearing from Alexandra McIntosh, Director - Business Development & Transactions (ARENA) and Rupert Maloney, Executive Director - Alternative Fuels (CEFC). This is a fantastic opportunity to take a deep dive into the range of options available at ARENA and CEFC, and have your questions answered during an interactive Q&A session.   AHC members are encouraged to get in touch to register.   Not a member yet? Become a member today to access exclusive briefings, resources, and networking opportunities. Membership information here: https://lnkd.in/e2UecEnk   #H2Au

Heading to the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Brisbane on 12-13 September? International delegates and Australian representatives of international companies can now express interest to participate in the International Delegate Site Tour Program. The program is hosted by Trade and Investment Queensland with site tour locations including either Brisbane, Gladstone or Townsville. Tours will be held on Tuesday 10 September 2024. 🔵 Brisbane - BOC South Pacific, Stralis Aircraft (YC W23), Endua, bp and Wildfire Energy 🔵 Gladstone - Gladstone Ports Corporation Ltd, Gladstone State Development Area and CQUniversity Centre for Advanced Manufacturing including Hydrogen Centre   🔵 Townsville - Port of Townsville Limited, Ark Energy Corporation, Landsdown Eco-Industrial Precinct and Powerlink Queensland Centre Get in early as places are limited. Expressions of interest will close 5pm, Wednesday 21 August 2024 - with successful delegates to be notified on Tuesday 27 August 2024. More information here: https://lnkd.in/grg7B4ha #h2au #APACHydrogen2024

Low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF) such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) have been earmarked as a priority sector of the Australian Government's Future Made in Australia policy.   AHC has been actively involved in various consultations around this topic as hydrogen will be a key feedstock to support SAF scaling when there is insufficient biofuel.   Mandates for future long-term use of SAF, and incentives to help producers and users close the commercial gap will be important for this sector. We support the Australian Government’s commitment to fund development of a certification scheme for LCLF through an expansion of the Guarantee of Origin scheme, and its plan to build on Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s SAF Funding Initiative.   Next week, AHC CEO Fiona Simon has been invited to moderate a panel at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK)’s workshop on ‘e-Fuels – Australia's winning ticket for export and fuel independence.’ The workshop will focus on opportunities for the Australian hydrogen market and challenges such as a missing carbon management strategy.   Great lineup of speakers from Qantas, NOW GmbH, Calix Limited, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, CSIRO, HIF Global Asia Pacific, University of Technology Sydney, thyssenkrupp Uhde Australia and H2Global.   In the coming weeks, Fiona will also be participating in events hosted by AHC Member Black & Veatch that will share their global learnings about SAF development.   We look forward to sharing more insights from these events, and building on the conversation at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition in Brisbane on 12-13 September 2024. #H2au #APACHydrogen2024

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is inviting feedback on the National Energy Workforce Strategy (NEWS). The strategy is being developed to build on existing resources, identify current and future skills gaps, and plan for the workforce needs of this evolving sector.   The Department is calling on industry experts, workers, and stakeholders to share ideas and experiences on how to expand and sustain the clean energy workforce. Feedback will be instrumental in refining and finalising the NEWS.   Submissions are due by 31 August 2024.   Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gptxm-NH   #H2Au