Sydney Water and construction partner John Holland are set to conduct a 28-day trial of a hydrogen generator, which will be used to help power construction of the $1.2 billion Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) at Kemp Creek.
The facility will service the Western Sydney Aerotropolis growth area and parts of the Camden, Penrith and Liverpool LGAs, and help cater for growth to 2056.
The utilisation of a 100kVA hydrogen generator in place of a traditional diesel-powered generator for one working year would eliminate 152 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere. Transitioning to clean emitting hydrogen generators like those trialled by Sydney Water at Upper South Creek is equivalent to taking 50 cars off Australian roads every year.
If the trial is successful, the transition of Sydney Water’s construction projects to hydrogen-powered machinery would be a step towards significantly reducing the carbon footprint typically associated with large-scale infrastructure construction.
Sydney Water’s ambition is to achieve net zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions in its supply chain by 2040.
Sydney Water Environment & Sustainability Manager, Major Projects, Gill Fowler, said hydrogen power could be a viable alternative for the future.
“The adoption of hydrogen technology positions Sydney Water at the forefront of innovation in the industry, potentially attracting future partnerships, and investment opportunities that align with our clean energy goals,” Ms Fowler said.
John Holland General Manager, Infrastructure, Steve Tolley, said hydrogen generators are a step in the right direction.
“This revolutionary trial puts us at the cutting edge of innovation and sustainability as we build one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most advanced water recycling facilities,” Mr Tolley said.
“Hydrogen technology is a gamechanger – with its incredible potential to reduce emissions and noise pollution whilst reducing our industry’s carbon footprint.”
Sydney Water and John Holland’s trial of hydrogen generators is set to conclude in October 2023.
Featured image: The ground-breaking hydrogen-powered generator. Courtesy of Sydney Water.
