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Frontier Energy finds green hydrogen water sources at Bristol Springs, eliminates major capital cost

The Green Hydrogen Study for the project will be released mid-year. Pic: Buena Vista Images / Stone / Stone via Getty Images.

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Frontier Energy’s Green Hydrogen Study has identified multiple existing water sources suitable for green hydrogen production near its Bristol Springs Solar Project in WA.

The company says accessing an existing water solution means the development of a desalination plant is not required – which significantly reduces both the capital and operating costs as well as the development timeline.

Water is an essential element for green hydrogen production through electrolysis, with 9 litres of suitable water (H20) required for every kilogram of hydrogen (H2) produced.

Existing water solutions identified surrounding the project with both suitable water and sufficient capacity include:

  • Bunbury Wastewater Treatment plant;
  • Yarragadee freshwater aquifer; and
  • Accessing water from existing desalination facilities in Kwinana or Bunningup.

The project is expected to provide enough power for 45,000 homes and abate 180,000t of CO2 emissions per year.

The company is on track to release both the Renewable Expansion and Green Hydrogen Study for the project by mid-2022.

Saving hundreds of millions in capital costs

Frontier Energy (ASX:FHE) MD Mike Young says the importance of accessing suitable water for green hydrogen production is a critical aspect many appear to be overlooking regarding the development of a sustainable green hydrogen industry.

“Without access to a suitable existing water solution developing a desalination plant is required,” he said.

“Whilst this technology is well understood, it can add hundreds of millions of dollars to a project’s initial capital cost (depending on its size) as well as increase the operating costs.

“The development of a desalination plant will also slow a project’s development timeline given the stringent environmental and development conditions to be met.”

Pic: Location of critical elements for green hydrogen production in SW-WA.

Power from the Southwest electricity grid

The project is located 120km south of Perth, and importantly is within the “Golden Triangle” of Kwinana-Bunbury-Collie, which provides both supporting infrastructure and potential offtake customers.

And the Green Hydrogen Study assumes power will be sourced from the Project, which is connected to the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS) – the electricity grid covering the southwest of Western Australia.

Young says this means there is the potential for the green electrons to be transferred anywhere across the region, providing greater flexibility regarding a location for a future hydrogen facility.

“The location of our Bristol Springs Project has again given Frontier a major advantage to others with multiple options throughout the region for existing water access,” he said.

“Being on the SWIS allows the company to transfer our green electrons to the most suitably located hydrogen facility.

“However, clearly being able to use treated wastewater is an excellent outcome for all stakeholders as this adds yet another element of green to the project.”

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Frontier Energy, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Categories: Energy

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