H2X hydrogen vehicles names first Australian supplier – Elvin Group Renewables

Exclusive by Peter Roberts

Hydrogen vehicle developer H2X has named its first manufacturing partner, Elvin Group Renewables, which will manufacture clean, green hydrogen electrolysers for the Australian market.

The electrolysers will be scalable from small household units, to those capable of being sited at a service station where they could be used to refuel hydrogen vehicles such as those to be manufactured by H2X at Port Kembla.

Elvin Group Renewables managing director Samuel Blackadder told @AuManufacturing that it will produce hydrogen electrolysers as part of its wider renewables businesses that include a founding shareholding in H2X.

Blackadder said: “We believe the time is right for Australia to take hold and drive the hydrogen economy which also means taking control of manufacturing opportunities.

“Instead of importing a hydrogen electrolyser from overseas markets we should be utilising our talented and experienced work force by providing upskilling into a new industry.”

Elvin has linked up with US electrolyser manufacturer GinerELX which will supply the largest units, with some assembly and integration being undertaken in Australia.

However for smaller electrolysers Elvin has invested in Australian company Hydrostar which has produced and trialled its own units in Canberra

Blackadder said: “There is a heavy push internationally to set up our HQ offshore however we believe that Australia has the ability to be at the cutting edge and delivery of the hydrogen economy both domestically and internationally.

“This will also supply an instant boost to the economy for skilled trades and high value jobs which will grow all parts within the production and delivery chain of this quickly growing industry.”

Elvin Group, a Canberra concrete and construction company, is also discussing with another H2X investor, Ken Mathews’ Denzo Pty Ltd, the trustee of The Mathews Family Trust, to supply the initial 40 MW capacity electrolyser facility.

Mathews are in the process of developing three large plants to produce green hydrogen from solar electricity at the Port of Bundaberg QLD, Port Kembla NSW and a third in the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) of NSW.

Mathews are in the process of developing three large plants to produce green hydrogen from solar electricity at the Port of Bundaberg QLD, Port Kembla NSW and a third in the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) of NSW.

CEO of Denzo Ken Mathews said: “The…cooperation will form a complete supply cycle to the end users of hydrogen thus employing many staff for years to come and this is an all Australian initiative.”

Elvin sees an initial sales opportunity for $60 million worth of electrolysers in Australia and through exports.

A service station refuelling opportunity could involve a 500kw to 1MW container for hydrogen production together with hydrogen refuelling onsite for vehicles.

Units could also be placed in a business such as a vehicle fleet depot, worksite, farm or distribution centre which support large vehicle fleets.

CEO of hydrogen vehicle developer H2X, Brendan Norman said local manufacture of electrolysers would provide ready access for H2X’s heavy vehicles as well as its planned Snowy SUV.

Norman said: “This is an exciting development, especially as these electrolysers are being manufactured in Australia, providing jobs and opportunity in our economy.”

Picture: Elvin Group