Queenslanders working in hydrogen
Meet some of the Queenslanders working in the renewable hydrogen industry.
Our renewable hydrogen industry is growing and employing many people across the state. Meet some of the Queenslanders working in renewable hydrogen.
Safely using hydrogen in Queensland
Nancy joined gas giant BOC as an undergraduate engineer and stayed with the company for 14 years, moving from New Zealand to Australia in 2005.
Nancy found a pathway to hydrogen in 2018 after joining the Queensland Government’s gas safety regulator when Australia launched the National Hydrogen Roadmap.
The versatility and the simplicity of renewable hydrogen is what fascinates her the most.
‘Hydrogen can be generated from water using renewable electricity, it can then be stored for extended periods and converted back to electricity using the same process in reverse,’ Nancy says.
‘Hydrogen can also be combusted like other fuel gases such as LPG or natural gas – minus the CO2 emissions!’
Nancy knows how safe hydrogen is but also understands the misconceptions.
‘Lots of people hear “hydrogen” and immediately think danger or of disasters such as the Hindenburg. But, hydrogen is safe when stored and handled properly. We’ve come a long way in more than 85 years to create a safe and sustainable industry.’
Nancy played a vital role in the development of Queensland’s Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice that provides a framework for ensuring hydrogen used in Queensland is managed safely. It also ensures that the people designing, installing, and commissioning hydrogen systems have the right skills to do it safely.
After 5 years with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), Nancy has returned to the private sector in a senior risk and safety role with Ark Energy. It’s one of a handful of companies building hydrogen infrastructure and investing in hydrogen-fuelled trucks in Australia.
Hydrogen is already playing a massive part in Queensland’s energy transformation. Nancy is on the frontline and sees firsthand the positives of hydrogen.
‘Hydrogen has many benefits for the region and local communities. It provides jobs and new career pathways for engineers, electricians, and many other trades.
It is also contributing to the development and commercialisation of new technology, and the best part is, everything required to make and use renewable hydrogen is available here in Australia.’
The future is now – Queensland’s renewable hydrogen generation
Queensland's natural wonders and great outdoors are world renowned and loved by locals.
For Fortescue Project Engineer, Kiersten, maintaining our planet for future generations keeps her motivated and proud to work in the green hydrogen industry.
Careers in Gladstone’s green hydrogen industry don’t get much better than Kiersten's as she plays a pivotal role in building a world-leading electrolyser facility.
‘It’s really exciting to be working on this project and working through the challenges that come from being at the forefront of the renewable hydrogen industry,’ Kiersten says.
Kiersten leads a project team that builds production lines to manufacture electrolysers.
Put simply, electrolysers are a key piece of machinery used in green hydrogen production whereby renewable energy is used to separate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water.
‘There's always going to be opportunity because it's a relatively new industry,’ she says.
‘There’s some challenges to overcome but the green hydrogen industry is progressing and it’s generating a lot of opportunity for young people like me, as well as for places like Gladstone.’
Whether it’s creating more renewable energy infrastructure, making electrolysers or producing the green hydrogen to meet demand, Kiersten is optimistic for the industry’s future and the benefit it can have economically and for regional communities.
‘There's many different pieces of the puzzle that are going to come together and become more efficient as the industry evolves. It’s an exciting time to be a part of it.’
Still in the early stages of her career, Kiersten and workers like her represent how hydrogen is making a difference right now.
Green hydrogen is creating high-quality career opportunities in the regions.
Working on world-leading projects in Queensland means a great deal of opportunity for our communities and showcases the skills we have to deliver a sustainable future.
The future of Queensland hydrogen is certainly bright.
Building Queensland’s renewable hydrogen industry
After growing up in Townsville and now calling Gladstone home, Amanda is a Queenslander through and through.
She is passionate about renewable energy and advocating for what makes this state so unique. And that excitement includes renewable hydrogen.
Amanda’s role as the Auxiliary Services Superintendent/Site Senior Executive for Gladstone Port Corporation’s (GPC) Ticor Quarry in Gladstone, is central to the economic role hydrogen has in Central Queensland.
What does the quarry have to do with hydrogen?
Amanda leads a team that develops the port’s facilities.
This involves laying the foundations to build GPC’s future renewable energy hub, including a hydrogen facility at Fisherman’s Landing.
Amanda and her team are in a unique position. They are working to build a sustainable future for renewable hydrogen from the ground up.
'We're the start of the chain, a first link in growing Gladstone’s renewable hydrogen industry,' Amanda says.
'It’s exciting being a part of the GPC team preparing for the new trade precinct, which will accommodate future infrastructure for hydrogen export.'
Balancing development with environmental protection is very important for Amanda and her team.
For Amanda, a highlight of her job is interacting with the nature around her – from turtles to kangaroos and native plants.
The environmental benefits of hydrogen are real, and Amanda also loves seeing the benefits for the local community.
GPC supports innovative research into environmental sustainability, climate change and renewable energy. It also supports skills training to help meet the future workforce needs of regional industry.
'I see how industry creates jobs and a very successful and vibrant economy in Gladstone,' she says.
'The local renewable hydrogen industry is set to build on this, diversifying the job market and, in some cases, help existing industries become even more sustainable.'
Amanda knows Queensland's future generations will also see the benefits of renewable hydrogen.
'I think it's a great opportunity to teach kids about renewable energy from a young age, because it's for them and their future.'
Renewable hydrogen is a big piece of Queensland’s net zero puzzle.
Amanda and her team’s passion for the industry can help achieve this collective goal.
- Last updated
- 22 October 2024