Australian start-up Enosi Energy has joined the Hunter Hydrogen Network (H2N) project as a certification partner to ensure the integrity of the project's renewable energy sources.

The proposed project - a large-scale hydrogen supply, transportation and export project worth an estimated $2billion, is designed to enable the development of the hydrogen economy in the Hunter Valley.

It has been devised by advisory firm and business accelerator Energy Estate, which has partnered with several national and international hydrogen users and exporters.

"A core element of delivering green hydrogen and green feedstock is certifying that the electricity used in the development of those products is matched against electricity generated from known renewable energy sources," Energy Estate principal Vincent Dwyer said.

"Enosi's PowerTracer Platform can validate the provenance of that electricity right down to half hourly intervals, across the grid, enabling the hydrogen produced to be certified as green.

Enosi will work with the certifying authorities to ensure all aspects of certification are met.

Enosi chief executive Steve Hoy said the company's involvement with the Hunter Hydrogen Network would build on its other data-driven energy projects, including the Beehive Project - a shared community battery near Maitland.

Globally, the company is involved with EnergyTag, a European group looking to set international standards for certifying hourly energy provenance.

The H2N project is being developed under Energy Estate's HydrogenGrowth platform, which focuses on developing green hydrogen opportunities throughout Australia and internationally.

It builds on Energy Estate's existing projects in the region, including the Walcha Energy Project, which proposes to connect directly to the Hunter through WalchaLink.

H2N will also facilitate Idemitsu's Muswellbrook energy, training and industry precinct, which will repurpose an existing coal mine and establish a clean industrial hub incorporating pumped hydro, solar, battery storage, green hydrogen production, training facilities and a new manufacturing precinct.

Energy Estate is also working with Beyond Zero Emissions on creating renewable energy industrial precincts in the Hunter.

The Hunter Hydrogen Network would also leverage local skills and resources, with the aim of bringing new domestic manufacturing opportunities to the region.

"H2N's ambition is to enable Australia's first hydrogen valley in the NSW Hunter, transforming the region into a global superpower of renewable energy supply", Mr Dwyer said.

The Federal Government will invest $275.5 million to accelerate the development of four additional clean hydrogen hubs in regional Australia and implement a clean hydrogen certification scheme.

The hubs will build-up opportunities for domestic use of hydrogen while creating job and investment opportunities for regional centres.

The Hunter Valley, Bell Bay (Tasmania), Pilbara (Western Australia), Gladstone (Queensland), La Trobe Valley (Victoria), Eyre Peninsula (Whyalla, South Australia) and Darwin have been identified as possible locations.

Link to original article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7284249/hunter-hydrogen-project-gets-green-certification/