A new initiative is using renewable hydrogen to improve energy resilience and connectivity during emergencies and power outages in Victoria.
The recently launched renewable hydrogen back-up system for the Neerim North mobile network aims to strengthen energy reliability during storms and extreme weather events. The system features 10-kilowatt renewable hydrogen generators that can provide up to 72 hours of back-up power, ensuring continued mobile coverage and keeping communities connected when they need it most.
Hydrogen fuel cells, which work similarly to batteries, generate electricity from the supplied hydrogen. Each generator is designed to operate for a minimum of 72 hours on the renewable hydrogen on board.
The project is part of Telstra's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Pilot, which has installed five hydrogen fuel cells in communities affected by severe storms, including Coldstream, Kinglake, Christmas Hills and Chum Creek. This initiative is supported by the $6.6 million Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund.
Other companies such as Volgren Australia, Viva Energy, Energys Australia and Boundary Power are also involved in hydrogen pilots, trials and demonstrations under this program. In particular, Boundary Power has recently launched Australia's first solar renewable hydrogen stand-alone power system and Telstra is exploring the role of renewable hydrogen in decarbonising the energy supply and improving energy resilience.
The hydrogen fuel cells used in this project were manufactured by Energys Australia at its Mulgrave facility, which has also received support from the Commercialisation Pathways Fund to advance renewable hydrogen production in Victoria.