Redland City Council will further investigate the creation of a renewable hydrogen economy, today agreeing to look at options to integrate a renewable hydrogen production facility at one of its wastewater treatment plants.
Mayor Karen Williams said the decision could pave the way for a renewable hydrogen economy which could provide significant benefits and opportunities for the city.
“Providing cheaper, greener power for locals through renewable hydrogen is an exciting prospect,” Cr Williams said.
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“The development of a renewable hydrogen economy could also help to attract and diversify businesses within the city.
“The integration of hydrogen production at a wastewater treatment plant would see treated water turned into clean energy, a process which has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast while at the same time reducing Council’s operational costs.
“We also see potential for it to enable hydrogen-based buses and ferries, provide backup power supplies (especially for our island communities), and eventually we could have local houses also being supplied with emissions-free power.”
Cr Williams said Council’s interest in renewable hydrogen began two years ago when it supported a renewable hydrogen pilot facility being developed at the local Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Redlands Research Centre.
It led to a hydrogen roundtable in November last year where the opportunities Council had identified were confirmed as realistic and achievable.
“The roundtable raised a host of possibilities which were well worth exploring,” Cr Williams said.
“We will now look at external funding options for the preparation of a business case for a pilot plant at our wastewater treatment facility, and further investigate the partnerships needed to make it happen.
“The impact that this emerging industry could have on our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast environment is too good to ignore.
“We understand there are challenges but, based on discussions with industry experts, the benefits for Redlands Coast could be significant.”
