The COP Collection
Pushing the boundaries of possible with green hydrogen
South Australia boasts the natural wonders of the outback, a rippling coastline and a reputation for the production of fine wines. The sunshine that ripens the grapes is also a key contributor to South Australia’s position as a global leader in the energy transition.
Here, we take a look at what has made South Australia a renewable energy pioneer, its target of 100 percent net renewable energy by 2027, and the vision and courage needed to make this possible.
Whyalla, the site for a new Hydrogen Facility, is a seaport in South Australia
Getting to 100% net renewable electricity in South Australia
In just over 16 years, South Australia has transitioned from renewables accounting for just 1% of net electricity generation to 74% in 2023¹. The Government has now set a target of 100 percent net renewables by 2027. What will make this achievement even more remarkable is that it will be the first region where 100% net renewable electricity is generated by wind and solar, without the use of hydro or geothermal energy. The challenge of using wind and solar is its intermittency – how to generate electricity when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. South Australia has been a pioneer in energy storage. Now, the next frontier is achieving “the last mile of the zero-carbon footprint”, explains Midhat Mirabi, General Manager Aero New Units, GE Vernova. The South Australian Government has been working with industry to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It has been ahead of its time in seeing the potential of using excess renewable energy to make green hydrogen and store it to power turbines to create electricity when needed. Green hydrogen is made by using electricity from renewable sources to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process of electrolysis. The site selected for the new Hydrogen Facility is Whyalla, a seaport with a population of approximately 22,000. It is known as ‘Steel City’ due to its steelworks and shipbuilding heritage. The facility is set to launch a new era of growth for the region, including through supplying green hydrogen for making low carbon steel.
“South Australia's Hydrogen Jobs Plan, featuring the world’s first 100% hydrogen-powered turbines by GE Vernova, is a significant step forward in energy generation, allowing us to maximise our incredible renewable resources and put them to productive use by providing dispatchable green energy for our state.”
Sam Crafter, Chief Executive Officer
Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia
Innovating turbines to run on 100% hydrogen
Mark Benjamin, Asia Sales Director, GE Vernova, takes up the story. “The South Australian Government were very knowledgeable about what they wanted to achieve with the Hydrogen Jobs Plan. It was about pushing the capabilities of technology, and being confident about what was achievable at the same time.” The 200MW power plant will employ four GE Vernova aeroderivative LM6000VELOX turbines, with operations set to begin in early 2026. It will mark the first time a GE Vernova power plant project, at commercial scale, is powered by technology capable of operating on 100 percent hydrogen. This engineering feat is a game-changer. Mark explains, “Previous versions of the turbines ran on a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, as the challenge with hydrogen is its combustibility. But our engineers took on the challenge. This means zero CO₂ at gas turbine exhaust when fuelled with 100 percent green hydrogen.” When there is excess renewable energy from wind and solar in the grid, as there now frequently is, this will be used to make green hydrogen. “Hydrogen is true renewable energy storage,” says Mark. At Whyalla, there will be 250 megawatts electrolysers. Electricity from the grid is used to run the electrolysers and make green hydrogen, which is stored on-site and, when needed, deployed into the gas turbines to produce electricity. When complete, the site will include one of the world’s largest hydrogen and production plants.
“South Australia's Hydrogen Jobs Plan, featuring the world’s first 100% hydrogen-powered turbines by GE Vernova, is a significant step forward in energy generation, allowing us to maximise our incredible renewable resources and put them to productive use by providing dispatchable green energy for our state.”
Mark Benjamin, Asia Sales Director, GE Vernova
GE Vernova's LM6000VELOX aeroderivative solution
Powering local industry and generating exports
The on-the-ground benefits to the community in Whyalla are real. It is estimated that the hydrogen production, power plant and storage facility will create 1,000 jobs during construction, with knock-on benefits for businesses in the area. Homes and businesses will benefit from additional grid stability². The renewable hydrogen will be used to power local industries which are looking to decarbonize, including Whyalla Steelworks. But thinking big doesn’t stop there. The ambition of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan includes exporting green hydrogen to neighbouring countries such as Japan, who has declared that it will be a large-scale hydrogen user³. Modelling for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has forecast Australian hydrogen exports could contribute 1.7 billion AUD and 2,800 jobs by 2030. “By collaborating with industry to push the boundaries of existing technology we're unlocking vast benefits—from creating new jobs and skills to decarbonizing local industry and positioning South Australia as a leader in green exports,” Sam Crafter said. “This initiative is key to helping South Australia achieve 100% net renewable energy by 2027, powering our future prosperity while driving economic growth and sustainability for our region.”
“By collaborating with industry to push the boundaries of existing technology we're unlocking vast benefits—from creating new jobs and skills to decarbonizing local industry and positioning South Australia as a leader in green exports.”
Sam Crafter
Chief Executive Officer, Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia
A consortium comprising ATCO and BOC Linde is responsible for designing the hydrogen production facility and hydrogen power plant. The consortium has contracted GE Vernova to provide the four turbine generators. Midhat spells out the far-reaching impacts. “The South Australian Government is creating a hydrogen economy. And it is showcasing to the world that hydrogen has the potential to be operated and run on a gas turbine. It is a fuel for energy production. It is feasible and doable. From there, other players will have the courage to do the same.” He leaves us with a final message: “South Australia shows us that the energy transition is already happening. It’s not a far-fetched dream.” South Australia has gone from renewable dream to reality in just over 16 years. With the learnings from such pioneers, it should enable the dream to become reality in more places, faster.
Midhat Mirabi, General Manager Aero New Units, GE Vernova
“South Australia shows us that the energy transition is already happening. It’s not a far-fetched dream.”
In conclusion
New turbines are now capable of running on 100% hydrogen
Creating green hydrogen from surplus renewable energy, which can then be stored and used to generate electricity when needed, is one way to create grid stability
100% net renewable electricity generation from wind and solar is possible in the right conditions
New possibilities are being opened up through the creation of a hydrogen economy for jobs and industry in the region
¹ https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/hydrogen-and-renewable-energy/leading-the-green-economy#:~:text=South%20Australia%20is%20at%20the,in%20just%20over%2016%20years. ² https://www.hydrogen.sa.gov.au/home/news/new-hydrogen-jobs-plan-village-to-energise-whyallas-economy ³ https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/sites/default/files/HydrogenCOAGWhitePaper_WEB.pdf
