ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of hydrogen in Australia’s decarbonization strategy and discusses future export opportunities. With its vast renewable energy resources, long history of commodities export, and strong government support, Australia is emerging as a forerunner of hydrogen production and export globally. Further, supportive industrial, technical, commercial, and entrepreneurial ecosystems can allow the country to become one of the largest hydrogen production and export hubs. In addition to green hydrogen production and export projects focused on Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, multiple opportunities for deploying local hydrogen exist. Mining companies in Australia are looking into producing green hydrogen and green ammonia at remote mining sites to power mobile applications. Meanwhile, the ammonia industry is aiming to decarbonize operations by displacing gray hydrogen with the green variant. Australian companies are also exploring using green reductants to produce green steel and other green metals. The scale of Australian projects, excellent renewable energy conditions, and target offtake markets place Australia as major competitor to Saudi Arabia’s hydrogen export strategy. However, numerous similarities and synergies can be exploited between these two countries for their common benefit.
