Hydrogen Bus Trial

The Tasmanian Government has conditionally approved up to $12.3 million from its Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Fund to progress recommendations from the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Activation Study, including a trial of two or three hydrogen buses by Metro Tasmania.

The hydrogen bus demonstration project is being conducted in parallel with a battery electric bus trial for three buses. This will enhance the outcomes of both projects, allowing a direct comparison of technologies.

The Blue Economy CRC’s hydrogen electrolyser will provide the primary green hydrogen supply to fuel buses for the project.

The hydrogen bus project is expected to be operational by early 2024. Updates on the trial can be found on the Metro Tasmania website (click here).

Initial source of green hydrogen

The Tasmanian Government has partnered with the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (BECRC), a joint Australian and Tasmanian Government initiative that will unlock significant private investment from around the globe, headquartered in Launceston.

The BECRC’s project to deliver an Offshore Renewable Energy Systems Program  is focused on continuing Tasmania’s leadership in the production of low cost, reliable and clean energy  – with green hydrogen a part of this innovation.

BECRC has ordered an electrolyser which is due to be operational late 2023  and will be located at the BOC site in the industrial precinct of Lutana, near Hobart on the Derwent River. This will provide the first locally produced green hydrogen in Tasmania and will  support the proposed demonstration projects.