Kawasaki Heavy Industries Adjusts Japan-Australia Hydrogen Project Plans
Key Ideas
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries has revised its Japan-Australia hydrogen project, opting to use hydrogen produced in Japan instead of Australian coal-derived hydrogen.
- Due to delays in procuring hydrogen from Australia, the company will utilize smaller liquefied hydrogen carriers to meet market needs in the early stages of the supply chain.
- The project, supported by Japan and Australia, aims to reduce carbon emissions and facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources like hydrogen.
- Both countries see hydrogen as a crucial element in achieving their respective goals of carbon neutrality and becoming a major hydrogen exporter.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has adjusted its Japan-Australia hydrogen supply chain demonstration project by shifting away from using hydrogen derived from Australian brown coal. The decision was influenced by challenges in procuring hydrogen from Australia by the 2030 deadline due to construction approval delays. As a result, the company, which is leading the project, plans to utilize hydrogen produced in Japan for the time being. However, they have not ruled out the possibility of sourcing coal-derived hydrogen from Australia in the future, along with considering other potential sources like the Middle East. Furthermore, Kawasaki will now utilize smaller liquefied hydrogen carriers with a reduced capacity of 40,000 cubic meters instead of the initial plan for larger vessels. This adjustment is to better align with the current market needs during the early stages of hydrogen supply chains. The project, supported by the governments of Japan and Australia, is part of the countries' efforts to transition to cleaner energy and decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Japan, in particular, views hydrogen as a vital component in achieving its carbon neutrality goal by 2050, while Australia aims to establish itself as a significant hydrogen exporter. The overall sentiment of the article is positive, highlighting the commitment of both nations to hydrogen as a means of decarbonizing industries and advancing towards cleaner energy solutions.