NZ opens first green hydrogen HCV refuelling site

NEW ZEALAND has opened its first green hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles, the Manukau site launched as part of a collaboration between Coregas NZ and Halcyon, itself a joint venture between the Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation.

Located just outside of Auckland, the heavy vehicle hydrogen refuelling station is an integral piece of a growing nationwide network of supply locations being rolled out by Halycon and other early adopters of hydrogen technology.

Halcyon opened New Zealand’s first green hydrogen production facility at the Mokai geothermal power plant northwest of Taupo in 2021. The plant can produce 180 tonnes of green hydrogen per year using electricity generated by Tuaropaki Power Company, which provides low-carbon traceability.

Since opening the green hydrogen plant, Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation identified that hydrogen refuellers need to be located as close to main trucking routes as possible, hence the selection of the Manukau site.

The manufacturing and supply expertise of Coregas was utilised extensively in the establishment of the Manukau refuelling site, the project’s technical and compliance requirements drawn from the firm’s experience in the recently launched H2Station in New South Wales’ Illawarra-Shoalhaven region.

“Taking charge of Halcyon’s express refueller enables us to provide our expertise in managing H2 distribution while supporting the transport evolution for New Zealand,” said Coregas NX general manager Peter Neate.

“The transport and trucking sector in New Zealand remains a largely untapped opportunity for hydrogen-fuelled heavy vehicles, which deliver a lighter, longer-distance solution combined with fast refuelling and high payload capacity.

“Coregas NZ has invested heavily into hydrogen distribution and storage assets, as we believe it is important to create a supply chain supported by infrastructure to make hydrogen an attractive proposition to the industry.

“We have supported this project with key technical knowledge and compliance experience to bring it to fruition. In addition, we have also invested in a Toyota Mirai that we have named H2Motuka. This is the first step in Coregas NZ moving towards adopting green fuel options for its full fleet.”

Halcyon’s model of hydrogen hubs, including the Mokai green energy hub, allows several customers to be supplied from one source, keeping costs down and providing economies of scale.

“Reliable, local hydrogen supply gives our customers the confidence to invest and innovate,” explained Tuaropaki Trust general energy manager Dave Binnie.

Importantly, the refueller can be relocated as customer needs change.

“Demand is increasing in Auckland, but it is also emerging in other places in New Zealand,” said Obayashi Corporation general manager Tatsuya Inokuchi.

“We have designed in the ability to respond and support new customers as they develop.”

The venture between Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation and their common interests in geothermal power generation show the value of combining renewable energy and hydrogen for use in the heavy vehicle transport sector.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved by private enterprise, expertise, and international collaboration ahead of effective mechanisms in New Zealand which acknowledge the true value of green hydrogen while also reflecting the true environmental cost of high carbon fuels such as diesel,” concluded Mr Inokuchi.