Queensland government-owned CS Energy announced its partnership with IHI Corporation Japan to assess the feasibility of establishing a renewable hydrogen demonstration plant next to CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Power Station on Queensland’s Western Downs.

CS Energy and IHI Corporation will prepare a feasibility study into the Kogan Hydrogen Demonstration Plant concept, which includes the co-location of a solar farm, battery, hydrogen electrolyzer and a hydrogen fuel cell at the Kogan Creek Power Station near Chinchilla.

Andrew Bills, CS Energy CEO, said the demonstration project will focus on the hydrogen electrolyzer being only powered by behind-the-meter solar energy, making it one of few truly green hydrogen projects in Australia.

"CS Energy is pursuing this project to ensure we have the technical capability to enter the hydrogen market once it becomes more commercially viable," Bills said. "The project will prove up the virtual power plant, production of green hydrogen and use of a battery to facilitate renewables."

"The plant may also be able to provide other services like Frequency Control Ancillary Services, which are important for grid stability, and which will be scoped as part of the joint feasibility study."