Green hydrogen company Hiringa Energy, alongside investors and partners, has launched Australasia’s first zero-emission green hydrogen refuelling network in New Zealand.
The Hiringa Refuelling New Zealand (HRNZ) network aims to drive the country’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as acting as a blueprint for projects in Australia.
Learnings around how a network of strategically placed stations can unlock freight routes, how design and partnerships can be leveraged, and highlight learnings to transfer economies of scale and cost reduction will pave the way for similar projects across the Tasman, the company says.
The network uses a series of refuelling stations that are powered by clean, renewable energy, enabling hydrogen-powered heavy transport vehicles such as trucks and buses to refuel with green hydrogen in 10 to 20 minutes.
“Heavy transport plays a vital role in our economy, but it’s also a significant contributor to our national emissions,” Chief Executive Officer at Hiringa, Andrew Clennett said.
“As a first-of-its-kind across Australasia, and one of the first networks set up globally to service heavy transport, the initiative addresses this major challenge by providing operators with the infrastructure they need to switch to zero-emission transport in an efficient, scalable and commercially viable manner.”
Hiringa is already well established in Australia having launched a joint venture, the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project, with Sundown Pastoral Co. The project will see the implementation of an integrated solar energy to hydrogen and ammonia operation aiming to establish a sustainable agricultural system.
For Australian-born entrepreneurs Andrew and Cathy Clennett, a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network is the natural next step to grow Australia’s budding green hydrogen industry.
“Regional Australia relies heavily on a functional and affordable freight sector,” Executive Director at Hiringa, Cathay Clennett said.
“Almost 80% of non-bulk domestic freight in Australia is carried by trucks.
“Application of low-carbon hydrogen within hard-to-abate industries will bring about a greater balance of economic, environmental and social benefits to all Australians given the significant contribution of these sectors to Australia’s emissions footprint.”
The project has been embraced by forward-thinking companies like NZ Post who have been trialling a Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck across the past 12 months.
The hydrogen-powered truck has been deployed on commercial operations since 2023, having completed more than 70,000kms, eliminating the need for an estimated 29,700 litres of diesel – the equivalent of 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
NZ Post Chief Executive David Walsh says that while the hydrogen truck has been able to travel more than 350kms a day using mobile refuelling, having the heavy-duty refuelling network in place will be instrumental in enabling the company to use the truck across longer distances.
“With rapid refuelling now available this will allow us to operate the hydrogen truck seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with zero emissions. We’re thrilled to see this national network come together,” Mr Walsh said.
According to Hiringa, the technology will set the stage to provide a fast and reliable source of hydrogen for a range of other applications including marine, construction, materials handling, stationary power and aviation.
