PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The federal government has awarded a A$1-million grant to fund a feasibility study to explore the potential of a clean hydrogen market in Darwin.

The study will be jointly undertaken by INPEX, Santos, Xodus and Australia’s national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Over 18 months, the Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub will examine market demand for hydrogen, renewable energy sites and infrastructure needed to produce and deliver hydrogen, storage requirements and supply chains.

The research complements the Territory government’s work alongside the CSIRO, INPEX, Santos and other industry representatives to establish a carbon capture and storage common-user hub at Middle Arm, which will be a sustainable low emissions precinct which will create 20 000 low emission jobs.

INPEX president director Australia Tetsu Murayama said the company was appreciative of the Australian government’s grant to deliver vital studies assessing the potential of a Darwin-based Hydrogen Hub.

“The INPEX-led Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub joint study has the potential to inform future investment decisions contributing to northern Australia’s hydrogen value chain development.

“Having played an active role in the Darwin business community for many years, we are proud to be supporting the Northern Territory’s cleaner energy future through this study,” Murayama said.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has welcomed the investment, saying it created not only a pathway to more renewables, but also to more jobs.

“INPEX and the Territory work well together, supporting jobs for Territorians, and now Inpex is playing a role in shaping a future industry in our community. This sort of development has long-term social benefits for the Territory.

“Creating a hydrogen industry will not only provide cleaner energy to the Northern Territory and our region, but will create jobs for Territorians.”