Yarra Valley Water is testing technology that would enable renewable hydrogen energy to be produced at its Aurora treatment plant.

The Victorian Government has awarded $11.9 million in funding from Round 2 of the Energy Innovation Fund to build a permanent renewable hydrogen facility at Aurora “Hydro Gen-1”, if the pilot is successful.

Trials will test a Victorian made high-tech electrolyser to validate its performance before developing a Victorian Government funded larger-scale facility. It is expected there will be 10 FTE construction jobs and 4FTE ongoing jobs from Hydro Gen-1.

The production of ‘green’ hydrogen uses renewable energy to separate oxygen and hydrogen molecules from water to create renewable hydrogen gas that can be used in many ways. Examples include fuel cells to generate electricity and power vehicles as well as mixing hydrogen into the natural gas network.

Yarra Valley Water’s Managing Director Pat McCafferty said the trials at Aurora treatment plant would test the feasibility of developing a commercially viable ‘green’ renewable hydrogen facility at the plant in Melbourne’s north.

“This is an exciting development in our journey towards a carbon-free future and delivering our purpose to create a brighter future for communities and the natural environment,” Mr McCafferty said.

“The water industry is significantly impacted by climate change and we’re committed to doing what we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of our climate resilience planning. Australia's goal is to be a major supplier of clean hydrogen by 2030 and the water industry has a critical role in providing a commercially viable renewable hydrogen future.

“Recycled water and renewable energy are needed to make sustainable hydrogen and we’re producing both at Aurora, which is powered by green energy from our onsite food waste to energy facility. And the by-product from hydrogen production – oxygen – can potentially be used to make our sewage treatment processes more efficient.”

Under the state’s water plan, Water for Victoria, the Victorian water sector is committed to leading on climate change. 

Earlier this month, Minister for Water Harriet Shing announced the Statement of Obligations (Emission Reduction) – a new agreement locking all 18 Victorian water corporations into reaching net zero no later than 2035.