H2Xport Pilot Plant

QUT H2Xport Pilot Plant enables scalable research capability to evaluate the viability of decentralised and regional-scale renewable energy hybrid systems to generate hydrogen from sustainable resources. The plant provides experimental validation and integrated modelling of a hybrid renewable energy process that utilises solar power, energy storage and non-potable water to produce, store and use hydrogen by utiliseing two existing solar array technologies (25kW CPV + (3+23)kW SiPV and battery packs (30kWh LiB + 29kWh ZnBrFB + 60kWh LIB) to power treatment of non-potable water and electrolysis of treated water for production and use/re-use of hydrogen within the facility and/or for export. A flexible micro-grid controls all components and delivers performance data to enterprise level models of hydrogen renewable energy systems.

 

The plant maximises hydrogen yield that is 100% renewable via:

  • Electrolysers generate hydrogen directly from available solar power only during the day, supported by battery power depending on available accumulated energy.
  • Water input from treated seawater, wastewater or rainwater.
  • Hydrogen product. Stored in a buffer tank at 30bar for later use by fuel cell; or then compressed to 300bar cylinders for continuous operation with other applications (e.g., vehicle refuelling) or removed off-site.
  • Batteries power electroylser and balance of plant loads overnight and during low-sunshine days. Charged from solar energy, not charged from the grid.
  • Hydrogen fuel cell for renewable backup power when batteries are depleted.
  • Grid connection. Zero power input from the grid but available as emergency backup; since this project is R&D and a pilot project. If required, excess power can be exported to the grid.