The Sun Metals Zinc Refinery in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, wants to set up hydrogen production based on renewable energies. Sun Metals Corp, a subsidiary of Korea Zinc Company Ltd., has received a grant of five million Australian dollars (3,1 million euros) from the $15 million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF). The project will create the region's first renewable hydrogen supply chain and, depending on its scope, create more than 25 jobs during the construction phase and 12 permanent jobs after commissioning. “Hydrogen has huge potential to pump millions of dollars into our economy and create jobs for Townsville’s workers,” said Queensland Minister for Development, Tourism and Innovation Kate Jones.
“This first phase of our hydrogen project will be just the beginning of the development of a substantial renewable energy hydrogen industry based in Townsville, which we hope will provide long-term export opportunities,” said Sun Metals CEO Kiwon Park. The hydrogen project is part of Sun Metals' long-term plans "for a fully integrated operation that includes our zinc refinery, solar farm and other operations in Stuart."
According to media reports, the electrolysis will be built next to the “Sun Metals Solar Farm”, which went into operation in May 2018 and is located about 15 kilometers south of Townsville. The installed solar output is 125 megawatts, the modules were supplied by the US manufacturer First Solar Inc. The company forecast the yield at 270.000 megawatt hours per year. This should cover 30 percent of the energy required for hydrogen production and significantly reduce production costs.
Queensland published a hydrogen strategy and launched a funding program in May last year (Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019-2024). The program focuses on supporting innovation, facilitating private sector investment, ensuring an effective policy framework and developing new technologies. A fund to develop the hydrogen industry in Queensland includes 15 million Australian dollars (9,1 million euros). 23 companies submitted project proposals.
Deep link:
https://www.sunmetals.com.au
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/6/25/townsville-home-to-nqs-first-renewable-hydrogen-plant
http://dsdmip.qld.gov.au/industry/priority-industries/advanced-manufacturing/hydrogen-industry-development.html
http://dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/strategy/queensland-hydrogen-strategy.pdf
Photos:
Sun Metals wants to produce hydrogen with solar power / © Sun Metals
