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Hydrogen Consultants

How our hydrogen consultants help

Arche Energy is engaged as a hydrogen consultant from concept study through to project delivery. We deliver practical advice to assess opportunities, reduce uncertainty, and support informed decisions before major capital commitments are made for hydrogen projects.

Our services may include:

  • Feasibility and concept studies
  • Electrolyser and technology selection
  • Offtake and commercial structuring
  • Approvals pathway planning
  • Owner’s engineer support during project delivery.

We work with project developers who are assessing new hydrogen opportunities, industrial users exploring fuel switching, government and funding bodies considering hydrogen initiatives, and gas network businesses planning for future hydrogen infrastructure.

Arche Energy has also been involved in major hydrogen initiatives, including:

Hydrogen projects often involve technical, commercial, and regulatory challenges that go beyond technology selection. Hydrogen consultants can provide the practical advice needed to build a viable business case, develop a clear pathway to market, and plan a realistic delivery strategy. Where appropriate, our clean energy advisors also support the evaluation of complementary technologies and options.

Where hydrogen projects usually stall

Most Australian hydrogen projects that stall do so at offtake, not at technology.

Offtake certainty

Many hydrogen projects reach the feasibility stage but struggle to progress without a clear offtake pathway. Securing customers and long-term demand can be one of the biggest challenges for hydrogen projects, as investors and lenders demand certainty and confidence that the hydrogen will have a market once produced.

Electrolyser cost and availability

Electrolysers are machines that split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and are a key technology for clean hydrogen production. Electrolyser capital costs, technology selection, and supply chain availability can all affect project feasibility and commercial viability.

Connection and firmed power supply

The electrolyser running for the hydrogen project requires a large amount of electricity. The projects may struggle where grid capacity, network infrastructure, or reliable firmed power supply are unavailable. The International Energy Agency (IEA) identifies infrastructure readiness as one of the barriers to hydrogen deployment.

Approval timelines

Even when the technology and commercial model are ready, changing regulatory requirements can slow project delivery.

Hydrogen projects may require environmental, planning, infrastructure, and utility approvals. Delays in approvals and permitting can extend project timelines and increase development risk.

As part of our broader energy transition consulting services, we support clients in assessing hydrogen opportunities early and addressing early risks that commonly cause hydrogen projects to stall.

Hydrogen production, transport and use

Hydrogen as a fuel

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in various applications and technologies, offering a versatile and clean energy option. Here are some common ways hydrogen can be used as a fuel.

Hydrogen fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process. Hydrogen gas is fed into the fuel cell, where it combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, water, and heat. This electricity can power electric vehicles, provide electricity for stationary applications, or even supplement power grids. Fuel cells are highly efficient and produce zero emissions, as the only by-product is water.

Transportation

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for zero-emission vehicles, particularly in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). These vehicles use hydrogen as the fuel and convert it into electricity to power an electric motor. FCVs offer advantages such as fast refueling times and long driving ranges, similar to conventional vehicles, while emitting only water vapor as the exhaust.

Industrial processes

Hydrogen is used as a fuel in various industrial applications. It can be combusted directly in hydrogen gas turbines to generate electricity and provide power for industrial operations. Hydrogen can also be utilised as a feedstock for industrial processes, such as the production of ammonia, methanol, and other chemicals.

Energy storage

Hydrogen can serve as a means of energy storage for intermittent renewable energy sources. Excess electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power, can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. The hydrogen can be stored and later converted back into electricity through fuel cells or combustion when the renewable energy supply is limited.

Heating and power generation

Hydrogen can be burned in combustion engines or turbines to produce heat and electricity for heating buildings or generating electricity. This application is particularly relevant for sectors like residential and commercial heating, where hydrogen can replace natural gas, reducing carbon emissions.

Hydrogen power plants

Hydrogen can be utilised at utility scale power generation in different ways, depending on the specific technology employed.

Here are a few examples:

Hydrogen gas turbines

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in gas turbines to generate electricity. Gas turbines are combustion engines that convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into mechanical energy, which is then used to drive a generator to produce electricity. Hydrogen gas turbines have high efficiency and low emissions, as the only byproduct of hydrogen combustion is water vapour. They can be used for utility-scale power generation to provide electricity to the grid.

Hydrogen fuel cells

Fuel cells can also be used at utility scale for power generation. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process. Hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell, which combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, water, and heat. Fuel cells have high efficiency and low emissions, making them suitable for large-scale power generation. Multiple fuel cells can be combined into a fuel cell stack to increase power output.

Power-to-gas

Power-to-gas technologies allow for the conversion of excess renewable energy into hydrogen gas. The surplus electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind power is used to power electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The produced hydrogen can be stored and later utilised for various purposes, including power generation. When electricity demand is high, the stored hydrogen can be converted back into electricity through fuel cells or burned in gas turbines to generate power.

Hybrid power plants

Hybrid power plants combine different energy sources to generate electricity. Hydrogen can be incorporated into hybrid power plants by integrating it with renewable energy sources like solar or wind. Excess renewable electricity can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, which is then stored for later use. During periods of low renewable energy availability, the stored hydrogen can be used to generate electricity using fuel cells or hydrogen gas turbines, providing continuous power supply.

Co-firing with natural gas

Hydrogen can be co-fired with natural gas in conventional power plants to reduce carbon emissions. By replacing a portion of the natural gas with hydrogen, the overall carbon footprint of the power generation can be reduced. This approach allows for the utilization of existing infrastructure while transitioning towards greener energy sources.

offshore wind turbines

Why is hydrogen a good fuel?

Clean hydrogen is a clean fuel as it produces no greenhouse gas emissions when used, and its combustion only produces water vapour. It does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, making it an attractive option for reducing carbon emissions.

Hydrogen can be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, power generation, heating, and industrial processes. It can power fuel cell vehicles, provide electricity and heat for residential and commercial buildings, and be used as a feedstock in various industrial sectors.

Hydrogen offers the potential for large-scale energy storage. Excess electricity generated from renewable sources can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. The hydrogen can then be stored and converted back into electricity when needed, providing a means to balance intermittent renewable energy generation and stabilize the electrical grid.

Hydrogen can facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy system. By using surplus renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, excess energy can be stored and utilised during periods of low renewable energy availability. This helps to address the challenge of intermittency and variability associated with renewables.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. While it is primarily found in compounds such as water or hydrocarbons, it can be extracted through various processes, including electrolysis or reforming of natural gas.

The challenges associated with hydrogen as a fuel include the cost of production of hydrogen using renewable energy, storage and transportation infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and ensuring safety in handling and storage.

What are the waste products of hydrogen fuel?

The waste products of hydrogen energy depend on the method of its production and utilisation. Here are the common waste products associated with different aspects of hydrogen energy.

Hydrogen production

  • 1 Electrolysis: If hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power, there are no direct emissions or waste products. The only byproduct is oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere.
  • 2 Steam methane reforming (SMR): SMR is a common method of hydrogen production from natural gas. The primary waste product is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released into the atmosphere during the reforming process. Hydrogen produced from methane can have a very low carbon intensity if the carbon dioxide is captured and stored or reused (CCUS).
  • 3 Coal gasification: Hydrogen production from coal gasification produces significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants. Hydrogen produced from can have a very low carbon intensity if the carbon dioxide is captured and stored or reused (CCUS).

Hydrogen utilisation

  • 1 Chemical feedstock: The vast majority of hydrogen produced today is consumed as a chemical feedstock for the purposes of fertiliser manufacture.
  • 1 Fuel cells: When hydrogen is used in fuel cells to generate electricity, the only byproduct is water vapour. This makes fuel cells a clean and efficient technology with minimal waste emissions.
  • 2 Combustion: When hydrogen is burned as a fuel in combustion engines or turbines, the primary waste product is water vapour. Combustion of hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) or other harmful air pollutants typically associated with fossil fuel combustion.

FAQ

1. What is hydrogen used for?

Hydrogen is used in industrial processes such as ammonia, methanol, chemical production, and other manufacturing applications. It can also be used for power generation, transport, heating, and energy storage, including storing renewable energy for use when generation is lower.

2. Can hydrogen produce electricity?

Yes, hydrogen can be used to produce electricity through hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen capable gas turbines. Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process, while gas turbines combust hydrogen to drive generators for utility-scale power generation.

3. How is hydrogen used in industry?

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel, feedstock, or energy storage medium in industrial applications. It can replace fossil fuels in some processes, provide feedstock, and store renewable energy for later use in fuel cells, turbines, or other energy systems.

4. How much energy does a hydrogen fuel cell produce?

The amount of electricity produced by a hydrogen fuel cell depends on the system design, efficiency, and operating conditions.

The NFU GrowSave Technology Review Report states that 1kg of hydrogen can generate up to approximately 23kWh of electricity in a fuel cell. Actual output varies depending on the fuel cell technology and overall system performance.

5. How can hydrogen reduce emissions from power generation and industry?

Hydrogen can reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels in some industrial processes and power generation applications. It’s particularly relevant for industries such as ammonia, methanol synthesis, and heavy sectors where lower-emissions alternatives are limited.

The CQ-H2 project is one example of how renewable hydrogen has been explored on a large scale. For electricity-related emissions, renewable energy and electrification may offer a more direct pathway to reducing emissions.

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