Southland contingent investigates hydrogen opportunities
“We have a real opportunity here. There is a large body of work already being done, and collectively, we can make some real impact and speed up the pace to move towards a more sustainable future."
A Southland business contingent has spent two days in Australia in a quest to better understand the potential hydrogen energy opportunities for the region.
The group of five attended a two-day symposium in the Hunter Valley, Australia. The Hunter New Energy Symposium takes place annually in Newcastle, New South Wales, drawing industry leaders from across Australasia.
Included in the Southland contingent, who made the trip to Australia, are Brendan Gray and Dean Addie representing the Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster.
Gray and Addie have been joined by fellow members of the Southland business community who are all united in better understanding the hydrogen opportunities for Southland.
The other attendees include Daryl Cook of EIS Group, Craig McKenzie of HWR Hydrogen and My Transport, and Hoani Cooper of NES Ltd.
They have been absorbing insights and engaging in discussions that could influence the future energy landscape of Southland.
Gray, of the Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster, emphasised the importance of understanding future trends and workforce development.
Addie echoed Gray’s sentiments, highlighting the symposium’s role as a crucial platform for industry players to come together.
He viewed the event as an opportunity to showcase Southland’s collective capabilities and empower the region to bid for large engineering and manufacturing contracts with confidence through joint efforts.
Both Gray and Addie are optimistic about the potential positive outcomes for the Southland region as a result of their collaborative attendance at the symposium in Australia.
McKenzie, from HWR and My Transport, was positive about the potential and transformative power of hydrogen technology.
“We have a real opportunity here. There is a large body of work already being done, and collectively, we can make some real impact and speed up the pace to move towards a more sustainable future,” McKenzie said.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when used in fuel cells, produces only water. The production of hydrogen can be achieved through a variety of sources, including renewable sources such as solar and wind.
Hydrogen power is being demonstrated in various fields from road transport to the industrial level.