- QEM has launched studies to assess capital and operating costs of setting up a renewable hydrogen project in Queensland
- It will explore the potential for solar powered electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen to be eventually used for hydrogeneration of QEM’s raw oil into transport fuels
- Project, if cleared, will be located in Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project in North Queensland, which would also serve as the location to supply green hydrogen for hydrogen powered vehicles in the future
QEM Limited, an Australia based shale oil producer, wants renewable hydrogen to use for hydrogeneration of its raw oil into transport fuels. This hydrogen it wants to produce with the help of a solar powered electrolyzer, and to explore the subject further it has appointed E2C Advisory Pty Ltd to help it assess capital and operating costs.
Renewable hydrogen opportunities will be investigated for QEM’s flagship Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project in North Queensland, the company announced in a stock exchange filing. QEM points out that since Julia Creek project is located in the state’s North West Minerals Province, which has a ‘transport nexus’ of road, trains, and trucks, offering ‘additional local opportunities’ for hydrogen powered vehicles in the future.
Its interest in the green hydrogen production follows ‘growing investment and interest’ from both public and private sectors, and that it can then be deployed for transport, energy and other industrial purposes.
Management considers Queensland a suitable location to pursue a hydrogen strategy considering the focus of the state government on the technology, after it appointed a dedicated Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen for the state in November 2020. It will commence discussions for the project with the minister as well, it added.
“Crucially, the hydrogen strategy aligns with the broader strategic direction of Julia Creek, as QEM looks to target both the liquid fuels and renewable energy sectors,” said QEM Managing Director Gavin Loyden.
Recently a UK based solar energy project developer EEW announced to produce green hydrogen in Queensland, near Port of Gladstone (see UK Solar Developer Entering Green Hydrogen Space).
