North Queensland Bulk Ports looking to green ammonia and hydrogen
A North Queensland coal port is looking into hydrogen and green ammonia exports.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia’s northernmost coal port has taken a key step to becoming a hydrogen hub and green ammonia exporter.
This week, owners of the Abbot Point port near Bowen posted a call for expressions of interest to complete a hydrogen development feasibility study.
The port ships out about 30 million tons of metallurgical and thermal coal each year; resources mined from the Bowen and Galilee basins.
But the port is a “prime location” for renewable ammonia exports in North Queensland, because it’s next to the North Coast Rail Line and Bruce Highway, it says in the tender documents.
The proposed feasibility study would investigate a common-user ammonia export facility, either from one of the two existing berths or from a purpose-built dock.
Either scenario requires investigations of gaseous hydrogen transfer, ammonia conversion, storage and transfer and loading facilities.
Renewable ammonia is used as fertiliser, but also in refrigerant gas, water purification, manufacturing textiles and plastics, and it goes in cleaning products. It can be made, renewably, when hydrogen and nitrogen react together at high temperatures.
The Abbot Point port is operated by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation.
A spokesman said the corporation wanted to leverage its ports to meet the hydrogen production and export focus of the state government.
“The promotion of renewable energy by our trading partners such as Japan and Korea is increasing the opportunity for NQBP to play an important role in the future hydrogen trade,” the spokesman said.
Townsville businesses have had a close eye on hydrogen development for years, with a North Queensland Hydrogen Consortium forming in 2019 to bring together businesses and develop commercial opportunities.
Townsville was given “hydrogen cluster” status in 2021, meaning the consortium receives funding from the federal government and guidance from an independent national resources body.
But the possibility of a $70m federal-government-backed hub in the city has taken a hit in recent months.
In August it came to light that $70m earmarked to build a green hydrogen industry in Townsville, was not actually tied to the Townsville Local Government Area confines, opening the door for the money to spent elsewhere in North Queensland.
Applications for that Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water scheme closed on August 31 and the department expected to make a decision shortly, a spokesman said.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation is a wholly state-owned entity. The corporation operates ports at Mackay, Weipa and Hay Point as well.
Originally published as North Queensland Bulk Ports looking to green ammonia and hydrogen
‘It’s not sustainable’: Dark cloud looms over community grant funding
Councillors are considering stricter guidelines and “cost cutting measures” on grants funding that could lead to funding for some events running dry. DETAILS.
City’s RAP unit merged as Police Minster vows ‘backup’ in crime fight
Townsville’s crack Rapid Action Patrol unit has been quietly dissolved, its cops folded into the Tactical Crime Squad. But top brass insist locals won’t feel the difference, even as the Police Minister concedes, “crime is still too high.”