Climate Impact Corporation: twin mega-projects in the Australian desert

10 GW of renewable energy generation

CIC plans to develop two projects in Australia, based on its modular hydrogen production technology. Each project will feature a 10 GW “network” of off-grid modules, incorporating renewable energy generation, water extraction from the ambient atmosphere, and a 2.5 or 5 MW electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen. This modular approach enables CIC “to both take advantage of the natural landscape and to protect it…locating [each module] flexibly around cultural and environmental spaces to minimise impact”.

The first project (named Green Springs) will be south of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, and produce more than 500,000 tons of renewable hydrogen every year. The 10 GW network of hydrogen production modules will be spread across 20,000 hectares (of a total 300,000 hectare landholding). Hydrogen will be used to produce derivative molecules including ammonia and e-methane, before rail transport from Tennant Creek Darwin Port for shipping. At the East Arm industrial complex in Darwin, a manufacturing centre for the modules themselves will be established, providing equipment for Green Springs and CIC’s global project portfolio. The second Australian project will be in outback South Australia.

Partnership with GE Vernova

Earlier this month CIC opened its Darwin office, from which development of the Green Springs project will be based. In May, CIC and GE Vernova signed a collaboration agreement to design the hydrogen production modules, ultimately achieving a $2 per kg production price for renewable hydrogen.

CIC is delighted to be working closely with GE Vernova, a leading expert on decarbonisation, in approaching this project. Green Springs will demonstrate that renewable, sustainable hydrogen can be delivered at scale, in arid environments without accessing local water sources or using desalination…Through this agreement with GE Vernova, we hope to redefine traditional hydrogen production to be of the lowest carbon intensity, produced in a wider range of environments, and at a competitive price.

CIC Chairman David Green, quoted in “GE Vernova and CIC partner on green hydrogen production modules”, Power Engineering International, 15 May 2024

GE Vernova is one of a number of project partners for CIC. Chinese & Japanese equipment, offtake, supply chain, and investment partners are participating in the projects, including Mitsubishi, Mitsui & Co., JERA, MUFG Bank, and Sungrow.