Findings shared from Australia’s first hydrogen microgrid

The WA Government has released findings from a public knowledge sharing report on the Denham renewable hydrogen microgrid.

The first of its kind in Australia, the project includes a 703kW solar farm, a 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell in Denham, WA. It will provide an innovative alternative to diesel and is expected to offset 140klpa of diesel.

The public knowledge sharing report will help to advance learnings in technology, costs, regulatory requirements and community sentiment around using hydrogen as a fuel source.

WA Premier Roger Cook says the microgrid will help the clean energy future.

“I want to see WA become a renewable energy powerhouse and hydrogen will have an important role to play in our clean energy future,” he said.

“This innovative project helps to reduce our reliance on diesel in remote areas delivering cleaner, affordable and reliable power for Denham.

“The knowledge we’ve gained through this pilot project will help to guide future remote uses of renewable hydrogen across WA and the rest of the nation.”

The project was funded by the WA Government, through the renewable hydrogen fund, Horizon Power and ARENA’s advancing renewables program.

WA acting Energy Minister Tony Buti commented on the microgrid.

“This report confirms the great opportunity for hydrogen to play a role in our State’s energy transition,” he said.

“As we retire State-owned coal-fired power and embrace renewable energy, hydrogen could play a key role in powering our State while creating jobs and business opportunities through new export markets.

“By displacing diesel with hydrogen in Denham, our Government has also demonstrated how this technology could specifically benefit regional communities that are connected to microgrids.”