PERTH (miningweekly.com) – A scoping study into the HyEnergy green hydrogen project, in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, has confirmed the technical feasibility for an integrated green energy production project, using renewable power.

The scoping study is based on a two-phased development, with Phase 1 consisting of the construction and operation of 4 GW upstream power generation using an optimised mix of wind turbines and solar arrays, transmission infrastructure and downstream hydrogen production facilities involving 2.6 GW of electrolysers with compression and storage.

The Phase 2 project would see the addition of a further 4 GW of renewable power generation to support an additional 2.6 GW of hydrogen electrolysers, while additional downstream hydrogen processing facilities would also be included.

ASX-listed Province Resources, which completed the scoping study alongside partner Total Eren, said on Wednesday that thanks to the prevailing wind conditions and quality of the solar resource in the Gascoyne region, optimised configuration of wind turbines and solar farms would lead to a relatively high-capacity factor and electrolyser use.

“The scoping study has helped further define the technical and other requirements for this project, allowing the commencement of more detailed work, which will inform the development,” said Province MD David Frances.

“This process has satisfied us that there is broad support for the HyEnergy project from key stakeholders and given us great confidence as we keep moving forward with this development.

“Green hydrogen will play a significant role in enabling countries to meet their net zero by 2050 targets and the HyEnergy project can be a major contributor to global supply.”

A detailed prefeasibility study for the HyEnergy project is now targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2023.