Plans to construct net-zero glass – and presumably photo voltaic panels – in Western Australia utilizing regionally produced renewable hydrogen are beginning to take form, as world power consultancy Xodus seeks funding for a 1GW electrolyser challenge.
Scotland-based Xodus says it’s elevating capital and infrastructure companions to assist its plans for a inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing plant in WA’s Mid-West area, with as much as 1,000 megawatts of electrolyser capability, which would require loads of inexperienced power. capability to provide it.
The challenge, referred to as MercurHy, shall be put in in three phases, ramping up from an preliminary 150MW in Part 1, then to 500MW, after which 1,000MW on the finish of Part 3 – an method Xodus says will will enable the market to mature and for the worth of the electrolyser to drop.
Inexperienced glass – and perhaps photo voltaic
To assist promote the plan, Xodus has a cope with ASX-listed useful resource outfit, VRX Silica, to discover the long run provide of renewable hydrogen to energy the corporate’s silica sand tasks and potential related manufacturing.
In an MoU signed in March, VRX Silica stated the deal made sense, given the prime quality and amount of silica sand at its Arrowsmith and Muchea tasks within the Mid-West, and the proximity to power infrastructure.
“Manufacturing glass requires loads of power inputs,” the corporate stated in an announcement saying the MoU.
“Supplying renewable hydrogen to energy such glass-making amenities may result in net-zero glass manufacturing.
“Establishing a glass manufacturing facility in Western Australia will set off vital funding within the trade, present long-term manufacturing based mostly on VRX’s long-life silica sand provide and create many long-term, everlasting jobs within the state,” the corporate stated.
“Glass manufacturing can produce photo voltaic panel-quality glass from Muchea and container and flat glass from Arrowsmith North, together with substantial glass recycling that furthers Australian glass manufacturing. .”
Location, location, location
As Xodus notes, WA’s Mid-West area additionally boasts world-class renewable power assets, together with wind farms reaching as much as 50% capability components, in addition to easy accessibility to native ports and energy infrastructure.
Xodus stated it additionally has “superior discussions” with different potential off-takers for the renewable hydrogen plant and has the assist of the state authorities to put the foundations for a brand new inexperienced trade within the area. .
“We imagine the world wants high-quality, scalable renewable power tasks like MercurHy to bridge the hole between the dimensions of presently working tasks and future gigawatt-sized developments,” stated Xodus managing director Stephen Swindell.
“The aim of this challenge is to push the provision chain ahead, cut back technological dangers and obtain value discount.
“That is an thrilling challenge. We’ve led it from its infancy and attracted companions to realize joint success.
“With the talents and data to be the architects of this chance, our objective is to play an energetic position within the power transition with high-quality, low-carbon, economically viable tasks which are so wanted in Australia and the world.”
