The world’s first project to turn biogas from sewage into hydrogen and graphite has received backing from the Australian government as part of the nation’s efforts to develop hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel source.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) granted conditional approval for up to A$9.4 million (US$6.3 million) in funding for the 90.7 tonne per annum project, which uses technology developed by Sydney-listed Hazer Group Ltd.
The facility is expected to begin operations in January 2021, ARENA said in a statement.
“Hazer’s process represents an alternative way to produce hydrogen using biogas sourced from wastewater treatment plants,” ARENA chief executive officer Darren Miller said.
“If successful, this project will offer opportunities to replicate the technology across other treatment plants and landfill sites across Australia,” Miller said.
Australia is exploring ways to build a hydrogen export industry, with an ARENA-commissioned report last year showing the industry could be worth A$1.7 billion to the economy annually and create 2,800 jobs by 2030.
Hazer plans to sell the renewable hydrogen for industrial applications and is exploring markets for graphite including carbon black, activated carbon and battery anode applications.
The funding would account for 41 percent of the total costs, including a contribution to operating costs, the statement said.
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