"As a company whose foundations are zero harm to people and the environment, we must be innovative about achieving a zero-carbon future"
"As a company whose foundations are zero harm to people and the environment, we must be innovative about achieving a zero-carbon future"
Cleanaway has been announced as a foundation partner of Australia’s most ambitious hydrogen mobility project that will see the development of a new energy service station in Geelong. The service station is expected to commence operations in late 2023 and will be Australia’s first publicly accessible, green hydrogen refueling station designed for heavy vehicle use.
Cleanaway CEO and Managing Director, Mark Schubert said, “This project is an excellent example of industry working together to move the whole sector forward with sustainable solutions.”
Pictured: An artist rendition of the new energy service station
Cleanaway has initially committed to two side lift vehicles as part of the trial, with more being considered. The trial will explore the performance, impact and real-world experience of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for fleet owners and operators, customers and other road users compared to traditional diesel vehicles.
“At Cleanaway, reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint remains a top priority. These hydrogen vehicles will help us to decarbonize our operations and by extension also assist our customers and the municipalities that we serve to reduce their overall carbon footprint,” Mark said.
“Investing in new and emerging technologies is crucial to drive innovation towards making a sustainable future possible together. As a company whose foundations are zero harm to people and the environment, we must be innovative about achieving a zero-carbon future,” Mark said.
Cleanaway has previously trialed electric vehicles and looked at options for natural gas as part of our goal to reduce the environmental impact of our service. Head of Fleet George Gerdan explains, “We’ll continue to explore the performance potential of batteries and diesel alternatives for heavy and light vehicles and, of course, we’re excited to see how the new FCEVs perform.”
Fleet trials explore the payload of heavy vehicles that must operate safely and reliably to service our customers. Trials look at fuel consumption, up-time, bin lift capability, impact on labour, noise and other factors in comparison to a diesel engine vehicle.
The new energies service station will also offer electric vehicle recharging alongside green hydrogen refuelling, bringing together the zero emission technologies that will support Australia’s energy transition. The first station in Geelong is expected to be the catalyst for a network of hydrogen refueling stations from Geelong to Sydney and onto Brisbane.
The $43.3 million project received a $22.8m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program and brings together a series of diverse industry partners operating an initial fleet of 15 hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles that will be refueled at the service station. The Victorian Government is also contributing $1 million to the infrastructure build of the service station via the Renewable Commercialisation Pathways Fund.
Visit https://www.vivaenergy.com.au/energy-hub/new-energies-service-station-project to find out more about the project and its partners.
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