The state of South Australia’s ambitious plan to construct a green hydrogen electrolyzer and power plant at the Whyalla steel city has closed bids.
For the hundreds of green hydrogen hopefuls eager to assess the viability of their technological solutions, the South Australian government’s proposal to spend over $600 million on a 250MW green hydrogen electrolyser and a 200MW green hydrogen power plant represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The state administration had to extend the deadline for proposals from February to mid-March due to the huge response. Several people have been shocked by the South Australian government plan, particularly the hydrogen power plant, which isn’t typically considered to be among the most effective uses for green hydrogen.
The state does, however, lead the globe in terms of the percentage of wind and solar power used in the grid, averaging more than 70% over the previous 12 months and more than 80% from October through the end of February.
The record is for ten days in a row. It often exceeds 100% renewable energy, with the excess now being exported to Victoria or reduced for network or economic reasons (some project owners seek to avoid negative prices).
The Whyalla electrolyzer and the power plant will receive inexpensive inputs from this surplus supply as part of South Australia’s effort to supplement the grid’s large battery deployments and other long-term storage with practical backup. The environmentally friendly hydrogen power plant would be the first of its kind in Australia and most likely the largest of its sort worldwide.
