A UNSW Sydney-led research consortium has released a report outlining a series of steps to transform New South Wales into a global renewable energy superpower.
The Power-to-X (P2X) Industry Feasibility Study, submitted to the NSW government, was unveiled by Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Heritage Penny Sharpe at the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit 2023 in Sydney yesterday, 26 October.
The study was commissioned as part of the NSW P2X Initiative and was led by UNSW’s Scientia Professor Rose Amal and her team at the Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network, an innovation group under the NSW government’s $15 million Decarbonisation Innovation Hub.
P2X refers to energy conversion technologies that can be used to power surpluses from renewable energy sources as chemical energy.
P2X technologies can be used to produce clean fuels and chemicals such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and other derivatives. These solutions are far less capital-intensive than other alternative technologies, such as battery storage, UNSW said in a media release.
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the study will serve as the cornerstone of the NSW Government’s goal of creating a global P2X innovation and industry hub.
“P2X technologies hold the key to creating new job opportunities and fostering the growth of clean, green industries. With our state’s formidable research and development capabilities, we are well-positioned to be an international pioneer in P2X technologies,” said Whyte.
Professor Amal said the study will play a vital role in fostering collaboration among university research partners, industry, and government.
The feasibility study was launched with the NSW Powerfuel Value Chain Tool, an online, open-source tool that provides access to all research of UNSW’s research and modelling data.
The tool is available for stakeholders interested in exploring P2X opportunities in NSW.
To view the study and the tool, visit chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au.
