Renewable

September 22 (Renewables Now) - Australia's Edify Energy Pty Ltd has secured development approval for a green hydrogen production plant of up to 1 GW in the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct in Townsville, Queensland, it said Tuesday.

The plans also include a behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage facility. Edify initially intends to develop a 10-MW green hydrogen pilot and gradually boost capacity to supply domestic and export markets.

This is the first development application over land in the precinct, which is conceived as a hub for modern industry, approved by the Townsville City Council. Two more companies have signed up to join the precinct -- Queensland Pacific Minerals, which plans to produce battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulphate, and Imperium3 Townsville (iM3TSV), which aims to develop an 18-GWh lithium-ion battery cell plant, the City Council said.

“The eco-industrial precinct not only supports the use of natural mineral resources for advanced manufacturing and production, but also the use of renewable energy from the approved and co-located Majors Creek Solar Power Station, utilising advanced grid friendly technology and storage to dispatch renewable energy when it is most needed,’’ said Edify Energy CEO John Cole.

“Electricity from renewable sources is an essential part of green hydrogen production and the decarbonising of advanced manufacturing in Australia,” Cole added.

Edify said its large-scale green hydrogen project is among the first in Queensland to get planning approval.