The Queensland government has established a panel of experts to assess and help guide the state’s sustainable hydrogen supply chain with an eye to building export capability no later than 2030.
Led by University of Queensland Professor Peta Ashworth, the seven-member team includes academics and leaders from industry and public sector.
The taskforce will begin by assessing the state of play of Queensland’s current hydrogen supply chain and will then move to establish a Queensland export plan.
The group will also identify short- and medium-term actions for planning and regulatory change to develop hydrogen as the state’s next major energy commodity, according to taskforce leader Professor Peta Ashworth.
Professor Ashworth is chair in sustainable energy futures at The University of Queensland and worked alongside Australia’s Chief Scientist in the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
The other members are:
- Professor Ian Mackinnon, professor science and engineering faculty, Queensland University of Technology
- Vanessa Sullivan, director, Sunwater
- Renata Berglas, chief executive officer, Queensland Transport Logistics Council
- Toni Power, Queensland’s Coordinator-General.
- Paul Martyn, chief executive officer, Trade and Investment Queensland
- James Purtill, Director-General, Department of Energy and Public Works
In 2019 The Queensland government announced a five year plan to build out the state’s emerging hydrogen extraction industry, including a $25 million fund for renewable hydrogen projects.
Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen minister Mick de Brenni announced the taskforce in parliament today.
“Queensland will lead Australia’s effort to be a world leader in renewable hydrogen and our Hydrogen Taskforce will ensure that we seize this opportunity,” Mr de Brenni said.
“The Hydrogen Taskforce brings together industry, academic and public sector leaders with expertise in science, energy, international investment attraction and economic development, infrastructure planning, regulations, skills development and logistics, and Queensland is lucky to have Professor Peta Ashworth at the helm.
Professor Ashworth received an Order of Australia Medal in 2019 for her service to science in the field of sustainable energy.
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