Pilot Energy, Electriq team up for next-gen hydro power… powder

Pilot Energy and Electriq Global sign MoU to collaborate on exploring deployment of Electriq’s proprietary hydrogen power tech
Electriq is at forefront of developing next-generation hydrogen solid carriers, with its tech to be showcased by Amazon Web Services at COP28 UN climate summit
The two companies will evaluate use of Electriq’s tech to provide power from Pilot’s Mid West Clean Energy Project to remote, off-grid energy users in WA

Special Report: Pilot Energy has taken another stride towards supplying clean energy to more customers after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with hydrogen power technology company Electriq Global.

The MoU will evaluate the deployment of Electriq’s innovative hydrogen powder transport, storage and generation solution from Pilot Energy’s (ASX:PGY) Mid West Clean Energy Project for off-grid energy users in Western Australia.

Breakthrough in a box

Electriq is at the bleeding edge of next-generation hydrogen solid carrier development with its Electriq Powder and Electriq Release technologies.

Through its proprietary, energy-rich powder, Electriq aims to redefine hydrogen storage transportation by enabling delivery in ambient and non-pressurised conditions.

To clarify that further, the tech company is focused on turning hydrogen into a powder form, which can be easily stored and transported at room temperature, without expensive specialised container systems, then transformed into electricity via a proprietary catalyst and release system.

The company explains that the release of hydrogen gas at its point of use minimises the safety and leakage risks usually associated with the fuel source, especially as Electriq’s solution requires no external heat, energy or pressure.

Electriq notes that the other benefits of its powder are that it can be stored indefinitely and recharged after its use.

Notably, the tech has been recognised by Amazon Web Services (AWS), which chose the startup to exhibit at its Clean Energy Showcase at the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference.

That followed Electriq being awarded the prestigious Disruptive Decarbonization Prize this year by the Temasek Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Singapore state sovereign fund.

Switching on off-grid users

Pilot and Electriq are targeting the application of the technologies to supply power sourced from Pilot’s Mid West Clean Energy Project (MWCEP) for remote, off-grid energy users in WA’s Mid West and Gascoyne regions, including mining projects.

This offers potential for Pilot to broaden its domestic customer base to mining projects in those regions.

Pilot’s chairman Brad Lingo said: “Pilot is very excited about working with Electriq on this groundbreaking technology for delivering a clean safe and practical hydrogen solution. It is perfectly suited for remote, off-grid energy users.

“The Mid West Clean Energy Project is ideally located to supply clean hydrogen to energy users in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions, and the application of Electriq’s technologies greatly simplifies the delivery, storage and use of hydrogen for these customers.”

Electriq’s CEO Baruch Halpert meanwhile commented: “We see natural synergies working with Pilot, harnessing their low carbon hydrogen to produce our Electriq Fuel.

“This is a great opportunity to work with an organisation such as Pilot which is leading the way in Australia with clean energy solutions to accelerate the energy transition in Australia.”

Clean energy for Mid West and beyond

The MoU is the latest in a run of good news for the MWCEP, which Pilot is developing to cater to growing demand for clean energy and carbon storage in key trading partners and domestically.

Using existing oil and gas assets, as well as other existing infrastructure, the MWCEP will capture CO2 emissions and store them permanently in the depleted Cliff Head oil field about 120km off WA’s Mid West coast.

The first stage of the project, expected to launch next year, will offer permanent storage capacity exceeding 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Those greenhouse gas emissions will be captured from external sources and the MWCEP.

The total storage capacity of the CCS component of the project will be more than 50 million tonnes, placing it within the top 10 CCS projects globally.

The second stage, set to launch in 2027/2028, will have the MWCEP producing up to 1.2 million tonnes of clean ammonia for export.

Pilot Energy is successfully targeting APAC markets such as South Korea, which is aiming for a 7.1% ammonia and hydrogen energy mix by 2036 as part of its plans to move away from coal to clean energy to meet its net zero goals.

This article was developed in collaboration with Pilot 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.