Queenslanders working in hydrogen
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.’
- Last updated:
- 19 July 2024