Phase 1 of SunHQ will involve a 1MW PEM electrolyser, supplied by Plug Power, which will produce green hydrogen from a behind-the-meter connection to the co-located 121MWac Sun Metals solar farm. Compression, storage and refuelling facilities will be located adjacent to the electrolyser.

The initial demand use case will be five 140 tonne rated hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) which Ark Energy will source from Hyzon Motors and lease to its sister company Townsville Logistics Pty Ltd. The FCETs are expected to be the largest fuel cell trucks in the world. They will operate between the Sun Metals Zinc Refinery and the Port of Townsville, which is approximately a 30km round trip. The FCET’s will displace five existing diesel prime movers and avoid 1,300 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

Phase 1 of SunHQ will have a production capacity of 155,000kg p.a., which is in excess of the 91,250kg p.a. required by the five FCETs. Accordingly, there will be additional capacity for Ark Energy to supply green hydrogen to third-party customers and support their transition to a low carbon future.

Ark Energy has engaged GPA Engineering as its vendor equipment Owner’s Engineer and Balance of Plant (BoP) designer, with Fyfe being engaged as the BoP Owner’s Engineer for SunHQ.

SunHQ has received a A$5 million grant from the Queensland Government and a A$3.02 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed up to A$12.5 million to support Ark Energy deliver SunHQ. SunHQ is the first hydrogen project to be jointly supported by ARENA and CEFC.

High-level technical details of SunHQ’s hydrogen production process are as follows:

• Electrolyser type: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)
• Electrolyser and CSD supplier: Plug Power
• Electrolyser power rating: 1 MW
• Maximum output: 155,000kg p.a.
• Power supply source: 121 MWac Sun Metals Solar Farm

High-level technical details of the FCETs from Hyzon Motors are as follows:

• Fuel cell power density: TBC
• Hydrogen tank capacity and pressure: 50 kg (10 tanks, 5 kgs per tank) at 350 bar
• Source of the FCET chassis: TBC
• Location assembly: Victoria, Australia

This Project has received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of its Advancing Renewables Program.

This Project has also received funding from the Queensland Government as part of its Hydrogen Industry Development Fund.