Coregas, an Australian-owned industrial gases company, part of Wesfarmers, is advancing its commitment to the decarbonisation of transport by deploying zero emission heavy duty prime movers to its bulk distribution fleet.
Decarbonisation opportunities will be immediate with the project to deliver emissions reductions of 50% in comparison with diesel trucks currently in use. The expected use of biomethane in future will further reduce its environmental footprint.
The Hyzon Hymax-450 prime movers will be delivered in the first half of 2022 and will mark the first hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles to operate in Australia. They will be refuelled at Coregas’ facility at the BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales.
With the support of the New South Wales Government and its Port Kembla Community Investment Fund, Coregas will develop a hydrogen refuelling station at its existing Port Kembla hydrogen production facility, supporting the introduction of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks to the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region for the first time.
The facility will enable the deployment of Australia’s first prime mover fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles to initiate a transformation of the region’s transport environmental footprint.
The project represents a strategic first step in developing a broader hydrogen ecosystem. Port Kembla and Illawarra-Shoalhaven is primed to be an epicentre of the emerging hydrogen sector possessing several advantages to foster the development of the thriving domestic and export hydrogen sector.
The New South Wales Government has recently announced a $70 million package to support the establishment of hydrogen hubs in the state, with Port Kembla identified as a priority location given its deep-water port, electricity and gas infrastructure, water recycling plant, road and rail connections, R&D presence and sizeable heavy-duty vehicle fleet.
Coregas Executive General Manager, Alan Watkins, said: “Coregas is working hard to apply our expertise in hydrogen distribution, compression and storage to Australia’s transition to a hydrogen economy. Transforming the transport sector is a critical piece of the puzzle, and we are delighted to partner with Hyzon to operate these vehicles out of our Hydrogen refuelling station in Port Kembla.”
Hyzon Motors CEO, Craig Knight, said: “Hyzon is proud to partner with Coregas in our shared effort to decarbonise Australia’s heavy trucking industry. This partnership reflects two truths about the energy transition: first, that the technology is ready to be deployed now; second, that collaborative efforts are integral in accelerating this shift. We are excited to work with Coregas to introduce hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to Australia.”