Provaris Energy’s compressed hydrogen export study available for public viewing

The study indicated that using an offshore charging solution could speed up the progress of green hydrogen export initiatives while facing fewer technical challenges and leaving a more reduced environmental impact.

The Western Australian Government has released Provaris Energy’s (ASX: PV1) Compressed Hydrogen Export Feasibility Study for online viewing by the general public.

The study, which can be viewed here, analyzed the compression and export of 200,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen from a proposed HyEnergy hydrogen production facility in the Gascoyne region.

The development will include compression facilities, an outbound pipeline to an offshore loading terminal, a fleet of proprietary ‘H2Neo’ 26,000 cubic meter green hydrogen carriers and an import terminal in Singapore.

Technically and commercially feasible

The study indicated that a compressed hydrogen export supply chain would be a technically and commercially feasible method for the offshore loading and export of green hydrogen, with an average delivery rate of more than 98% of the target annual throughput.

It demonstrated that an offshore charging solution could accelerate the development of greenfield hydrogen export projects with minimal technical barriers and smaller environmental footprints.

Initial hazard identification and environmental impact assessments indicated that there would be no significant limitations that would prevent the study from progressing to the next phase of design and development.

Optimization activities have been identified to further develop the study outcomes, including the use of Provaris’ larger scale 120,000 cubic meter ‘H2Max’ carrier which is expected to improve the cost of hydrogen transport.

Study grant

Provaris’ hydrogen export feasibility study received a $300,000 grant in Round 2 of the WA Renewable Hydrogen Fund in September 2021.

The money was awarded for the purposes of evaluating the technical and commercial feasibility of exporting green hydrogen to the Asia-Pacific from the Gascoyne using a compressed hydrogen shipping solution.

The study was supported by specialist consultants including WSP Global, Oropesa, APL NOV, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), Turner & Townsend, Paaras Marine Solutions and GHD Group.

Reliable method

Martin Carolan, managing director of Provaris, said compression is a proven, safe and reliable method of storing and transporting hydrogen onshore.

“The outcomes of this study continue to demonstrate that a compressed hydrogen supply chain for marine storage and transport solution can accelerate the development of greenfield hydrogen export projects with the flexibility to also meet offshore loading requirements and variable renewable energy production profiles,” he said.

“We look forward to incorporating these outcomes into the project’s pre-feasibility study.”