Hydrogen

The emerging role of hydrogen in energy transition

Hydrogen will be a significant part of the solution to the world’s carbon problem and developing a hydrogen economy will be vital to unlocking the potential to support our future clean, secure and affordable energy needs.

Why hydrogen?

Hydrogen is attractive because it has zero-emissions at the point of use and depending on how it is made, it can have a greatly reduced carbon footprint against fossil fuel-based alternatives. It has vast applications in transport, industry (fertiliser, green steel, methanol and chemical feedstock), power generation, grid blending and as an energy export vector. Realising these benefits depends on advances in hydrogen technology and infrastructure, on which we have already been working for nearly a decade.

For green hydrogen the already dramatic declines in renewable energy price and forecast improvements to the capital cost of electrolysis processes is accelerating commercial applications and adoption of hydrogen across aforementioned sectors.

Supporting government policies, access to low-cost finance and rising global interest in green hydrogen positions Australia as a critical player in leading the global hydrogen market. WSP recognises the potential of this energy source and is working to support our clients to deliver low carbon solutions by applying global expertise to local projects, developing low-carbon hydrogen production, localised hydrogen generation and distribution networks.

The Hydrogen economy

With the abundance of natural resources, Australia is blessed with significant advantages to produce hydrogen and is well positioned as a hopeful large-scale exporter. Whether it be electrolysis or blue hydrogen via reforming, we can offer a whole system approach across hydrogen economy.

WSP’s global hydrogen expertise enables us to provide advisory, project and design services across the lifecycle of projects, benefitting our clients from our growing hydrogen portfolio and knowledge of the complete hydrogen value chain. Specifically, we’re playing a role in projects that are supporting renewables and hydrogen production infrastructure, converting hydrogen to more transportable derivative products such as ammonia or liquid hydrogen, and providing storage and export infrastructure.

MAKE IT – Production methods

Production of clean hydrogen using electrolysis is powered through renewable energy sources which has no carbon emissions in the process. WSP has a strong hold in renewable power generation industry. Be it hydropower, dams, run of river production, solar and wind generation, large scale Battery Energy Storage Systems or geothermal, our experience runs from traditional power generation technologies through to emerging technologies and their associated systems. Water, as the other key input to any large-scale hydrogen production, needs the right treatment technology to deliver sustainable and innovative solutions and meet the rigorous environmental regulatory requirements and identify emerging contaminants concerns. Our team of water experts leverage their extensive practical experience and one stop service approach to provide the most advanced treatment solutions.

MOVE IT – Storage, transformation and transmission

Hydrogen is a versatile fuel which is safe to store and transport using either compression, derivative product technologies such as ammonia, or by refrigerating and liquefying. However, transmitting, storing and transporting hydrogen can be challenging. With cost and safety of distribution to the end user as key economic determinants, it is critical to use the right technology to break the barriers. WSP brings global expertise in underground and aboveground storage together with more than 40+ years of experience in transportation of energy, compression and pumping capabilities to help our clients deliver hydrogen to its end markets – safely, efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.

USE IT- Utilisation

Hydrogen’s wide range of applications makes it an ideal energy source to support our clients’ desires for low carbon solutions. From powering heavy duty vehicles to decarbonisation of buildings and industrial processes, power generation and blending applications; it presents a big opportunity for the Australian hydrogen market.

Green hydrogen is unmatched as a green chemical feedstock in the production of ammonia, fertilisers or biofuels and using it to stabilise and support remote, off grid renewable energy systems. With the breath of our consultancy and design experience, our team possess a rich understanding of industrial and energy processes to provide multidisciplinary design and engineering services for sector specific and sustainable solutions. Leveraging our experience in domestic, commercial and industrial heating systems and infrastructures, WSP works with clients to decarbonise heating by utilising hydrogen as an alternative energy source.

With broad expertise in power generation, we take an integrated approach to provide best process energy solutions to maximise usage of assets and energy processes. Demonstrating our fleet knowledge and capabilities with hydrogen powertrain deployments and commercial fleets globally, WSP is engaged in technical and advisory services to prepare public transportation organisations shift to zero emission vehicles. While hydrogen may not be the most appropriate solution, we are also well placed to assess alternatives such as direct electrification.

Unmatched expertise

As hydrogen evolves and plays an increasingly significant part of the solution to limit the effects of climate change, WSP has a critical role in the world’s energy future.

Our hydrogen expertise services include:

• Advisory and consulting
• Pre-FEED and FEED studies and services
• Owner’s engineer
• Process, mechanical, electrical, civil and structural, chemical and industrial engineering and design
• Environmental due diligence, permitting and licensing
• Smart and digital tools

Energy in transition 

Together we can innovate on how energy is transformed, moved and used