WA first with green hydrogen microgrid

​Australia’s first renewable hydrogen microgrid has been launched in Denham, Western Australia where it will produce renewable energy that could power 100 households, or 20 per cent of Denham’s residents and businesses.

Delivered by Horizon Power and Hybrid Systems Australia, the project is expected to offset 140,000 litres of diesel fuel each year, and is Australia’s first remote renewable hydrogen microgrid.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston and Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan were present to witness the first hydrogen being produced at the $9.3 million Denham Hydrogen Demonstration Plant.

The plant includes a 704-kilowatt (kW) solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser, and a 100kW fuel cell providing an innovative alternative to diesel generators.

The WA Government provided $5.7 million towards the project, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency provided $2.6 million of funding through its Advancing Renewables Program.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston said: “The Denham Hydrogen Demonstration Plant is leading the energy transition to new technologies, as we work towards the McGowan Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“The demonstration in Denham is extending knowledge of hydrogen technology and systems in practice and considers how this technology can be used in other remote power systems.”

Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the project was the first step towards rolling out renewable hydrogen domestically, and was helping WA build critical skills and understanding of renewable hydrogen.

Picture: Hybrid Systems Australia/small scale standalone microgrid