Plans lodged for revolutionary fuel station

VIVA Energy has submitted its plans for a hydrogen-fuel service station at its Geelong Refinery in a first for the region.

The City of Greater Geelong advertised plans in recent weeks for the New Energies Service Station (NESS) at Refinery Road, Corio, which would also include hydrogen production.

The NESS would fuel transport trucks, commuter buses, garbage collection vehicles and prime movers across the Geelong region as big businesses begin developing their hydrogen vehicle fleets.

Green hydrogen is used to power Full Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) that have zero tailpipe emissions.

The refuelling technology seen as a breakthrough technology to decarbonsing industries that have traditionally relied on fossil fuel-powered heavy vehicles such as transport and freight.

Viva would source recycled water from Barwon Water, which it would convert to hydrogen in an electrolyser run by green power.

The facility would have the capacity to produce up to 1,000 kilograms of green hydrogen per day.

Viva said production capability would be key to its project due to the relative infancy of Australia’s hydrogen fuelling industry.

“Unlike traditional vehicle fuels, green hydrogen for FCEVs is not currently available for purchase or supply in most locations in Australia (including Geelong), nor at the high purity levels required for vehicle refuelling,” planning documents stated.

“Therefore, in order to ensure a reliable supply of green hydrogen of consistent quality and sufficient volume it is necessary to produce hydrogen on-site. Hydrogen generation is therefore ancillary to the service station and integral to this project.”

Hydrogen provides almost three times more energy than diesel or gasoline in equivalent amounts, according to the report, while Viva said refuelling times would be similar to that of combustion engine vehicles.

When launching the NESS in March last year, Viva indicated that logistics company Toll Group, bus provider CDC, waste service Cleanaway and utility Barwon Water has signed up as foundation partners.

Last year, Viva indicated the project was scheduled to be operational by the end of 2023.

The refuelling centre would form part of Viva’s Geelong Energy Hub, which also includes a floating gas import terminal, a solar energy farm, low-sulphur gasoline production and diesel storage.