The NSW Government is set to lead the charge in renewable energy development with the release of the Power-to-X (P2X) Industry Feasibility Study (Study), produced by the Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network (PFH2N).
The Study lays out a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a thriving P2X industry in NSW, potentially transforming the state into a global renewable energy superpower.
The Study was announced by the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage in her speech at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit 2023 in Sydney on 26 October 2023.
The Study was commissioned by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) as part of the NSW P2X Initiative. The Study was led by Scientia Professor Rose Amal and her team from UNSW Sydney in collaboration with OCSE, PFH2N university partners and industry members, to investigate pathways to deploy P2X technologies in the state and internationally.
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the Study is the cornerstone of the NSW Government’s goal of creating a global P2X innovation and industry hub.
"P2X technologies hold the key to creating new job opportunities and fostering the growth of clean, green industries. With our State's formidable research and development capabilities, we are well-positioned to be an international pioneer in P2X technologies," Professor Durrant-Whyte said.
The PFH2N is an innovation network under the NSW Government's $15 million Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. PFH2N lead, Professor Rose Amal, emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry, research and government.
"This Study serves as a vital knowledge-sharing platform, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and accelerating the advancement and implementation of P2X technology in NSW," Professor Amal said.
"This is why we have created an online, open-source modelling tool that provides access to all the research and modelling data. It's available for use by all stakeholders interested in exploring P2X opportunities in NSW."
Dr. Rahman Daiyan, deputy lead of the PFH2N and lead developer of the NSW Powerfuel Value Chain Tool, said the tool gives NSW industry and investors first-hand information on their P2X projects.
"We made the tool user-friendly for industry and investors. Everyone can do their own feasibility analysis to assess if their proposals are economically viable at various locations for different chemicals," Dr. Rahman says.
The NSW P2X Industry Feasibility Study and NSW Powerfuel Value Chain Tool are an important step forward in the NSW Government's mission to transition to a net-zero economy, fostering economic growth while mitigating the impact of carbon emissions.
The Study and Tool can be viewed at the OCSE website.