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Hydrogen transport era dawns in Australia

Technology




Andrew Forrest has taken the first steps in his promise to embrace a hydrogen future with Fortescue Metals Group placing an order for hydrogen powered buses.

The order, part of a $32 million renewable hydrogen mobility project, will see 10 full-sized hydrogen coaches (pictured) built by Hyzon Motors, to replace diesel coaches at the Christmas Creek mine from 2021.

Fortescue received $2 million in funding through the Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund to support the development of the project.

In a Boyer lecture in January Forrest pledged to develop massive renewable power resources to produce green hydrogen and build Australia’s first green steel production plant.

FMG’s use of hydrogen fuel-cell powered commercial vehicles will be supported by the installation of a refuelling station, which will harness renewable electricity from the Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project to generate renewable hydrogen onsite.

It is understood this is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Pure Hydrogen Corporation and Hyzon to collaborate on the development of a network of hydrogen refuelling points in Australia.

Fortescue Deputy CEO Julie Shuttleworth said: “This project represents a first step towards decarbonising our mobile fleet, which is an important part of our goal to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2040.

“Fortescue’s mobile fleet represents around 400 to 450 million litres of diesel consumption per year and presents a significant opportunity for hydrogen to be used as a replacement fuel source to accelerate emissions reduction and diversify our energy mix.”

Hyzon Motors Co-Founder Craig Knight said it was hugely rewarding to see the genuine enthusiasm for decarbonisation from one of the leading miners of the world.

Knight said: “We can see first-hand how Fortescue has forged and sustained their rightful place through constant innovation, and we see hydrogen as another example of their willingness to lead through action.”

Meanwhile Hyzon and Pure Hydrogen’s MOU will work to develop a network of hydrogen refuelling points.

The companies will also work on a ‘wet hire’ option where potential customers will secure Hyzon’s vehicles as part of a package that includes the vehicle’s cost, scheduled services and hydrogen fuel as part of one monthly payment.

Picture: FMG

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