Another Adelaide energy company turns to hydrogen
ASX-listed energy company Whitebark has begun a study to investigate the potential development of its own hydrogen energy production facility, buoyed by the federal government’s support for the power source.
Whitebark Energy has commenced a ‘Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathway’ study to investigate the feasibility of developing and deploying hydrogen production facilities at its Cooper Basin site.
In an announcement to shareholders, the company said the development of any such project would align with the federal government’s newly announced hydrogen production incentives.
Whitebark said hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable sources stood out as a “versatile and sustainable fuel with the potential to revolutionise various sectors”.
Inland Australia was particularly primed for hydrogen energy production, Whitebark said, and pointed to “abundant geothermal energy resources and existing oil and gas wells which are end of commercial life”.
The company said it was in a unique position to capitalise on growing demand for hydrogen, and would explore how its Cooper Basin project dubbed ‘EPG2049’ could play a role in the emerging industry.
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The study will see the company conduct comprehensive geological surveys at its Cooper Basin site to verify geothermal potential and to leverage the site’s existing production fields.
Whitebark will also collaborate with government agencies like the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to accelerate geothermal exploration and development efforts.
The company will also prioritise assessment of a state-of-the-art electrolysis facility – powered by geothermal energy – to produce hydrogen from waste water. It will also look at developing infrastructure like hydrogen production plants, storage facilities, and transportation corridors to distribute hydrogen across inland Australia.
Whitebark general manager Adam Stepanoff said he was “excited to announce a significant milestone in the company’s history”.
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“Hydrogen energy development in Australia represents a dynamic frontier in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions and Whitebark’s EPG2049 asset location and production characteristics are perfectly placed to position Whitebark as a leader in Geoghermal and Hydrogen production,” Stepanoff said.
“As advancements in government support, technology and exploration continue to progress, Australia’s Hydrogen landscape offers an attractive pathway to reducing emissions while diversify the energy mix, bolster energy security and deliver shareholder value.”
The Cooper Basin site is “ideally located” according to Whitebark, considering its proximity to the Warrego highway from Roma to Mt Isa in Queensland, with additional access to freight options. EPG2049 covers approximately 3875km2 of land, and is about 360km southwest of Longreach, Queensland.
It sits on top of Australia’s Great Artesian Basin, which Whitebark said previously housed “modest geothermal plants” in the 1980s and 90s. This demonstrates the “feasibility of generating electricity from sedimentary heat and the associated potential for hydrogen production” according to the company.
“Geothermal studies undertaken by Whitebark in the EPG2049 holding indicate elevated geothermal gradients which have been further quantified by current operating oil and gas assets in the area,” Whitebark said.
“These temperatures support the production of electricity at shallow depths reducing the development risks involved with extracting the resource.
“Whitebark aims to assess the deployment of the technology in near-by project areas, with potential to scale the inland project in due course.”
