Japan’s Obayashi Corporation has exported green hydrogen from New Zealand to Fiji to be co-fired in a diesel-hydrogen generator to power buildings on-site.
The green hydrogen was produced at Halcyon Power’s 1.25MW project in Taupo, New Zealand which uses electricity generated by the nearby Mokai geothermal power plant.
An unspecified amount of hydrogen was then transported from the Port of Auckland to Lautoka Port in gas cylinders.
It took about a week to transport the green hydrogen before it was utilised for a DF generator installed at Fiji Gas LPG Lautoka Terminal.
A press statement released by Obayashi said the generator “successfully supplied electricity by adjusting the hydrogen flow rate to align with the facility’s electricity demand.”
H2 View understands that this marked the first attempt to export green hydrogen outside of New Zealand. Additionally, the gas cylinders used were shipped in compliance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations.
The project was selected as part of a demonstration funded by the Japanese government in 2022: The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Financing Support Programme.
The Japanese company added in its press statement, “The company will keep contributing to realising a carbon-neutral society through further promoting the social implementation and deployment of green hydrogen in collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders.”
As outlined in its Hydrogen Action Plan, New Zealand has recognised its abundant renewable energy resources and potential for green hydrogen production. Whilst the primary focus is on decarbonisation, it identifies to scope for hydrogen exports, particularly in the longer term.
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