Australia’s first public hydrogen refuelling station is open in Geelong to help drive down emissions and lower fuel costs.
Viva Energy’s New Energies Service Station opened on the corner of Princes Highway and Station Street in Corio on Friday, June 13.
The $61.2 million federal and state government project will use renewable electricity and a 2.5-megawatt onsite electrolyser to generate green hydrogen using recycled water from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant.
Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming said the initiative would help deliver lower operational costs and support a planned transition to decarbonise its vehicle fleet.
“Barwon Water is committed to a sustainable future, and we’re keen to explore hydrogen’s potential as a zero-emission solution for the heavy transport sector,” he said.
“We’re excited to work with Viva Energy and the other vehicle operators on an innovative project that could deliver lasting benefits for the region and beyond.”
Circular economy infrastructure lead Emily Rahles-Rahbula said the station was designed to refuel 10 trucks or buses consecutively in under two hours at around 15 minutes for each average fill.
“We’re eager to pursue innovations that have the ability to create more efficient and lower emission wastewater treatment,” she said.
“Through the trial we’ll learn more about the ongoing viability of this process and we look forward to sharing our findings with the wider water sector.”
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said that bringing renewable hydrogen to commercial transport for the Geelong community was a great achievement.
“We are supporting our emerging renewable hydrogen sector to expand and help industries, like transport, reduce their emissions – helping Victoria achieve net-zero emissions by 2045,” she said.
