FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Countrywide and green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced through electrolysis where the electricity used comes from renewable sources, such as wind or solar power. This makes the entire process carbon-free.
An electrolyser is a device that uses electricity to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen, a process known as electrolysis.
An electrolyser works by passing an electric current through water. This causes the water molecules to separate into hydrogen and oxygen due to the energy provided by the electric current.
The main purpose of an electrolyser is to produce hydrogen. This hydrogen can then be used in various applications, including fuel cells for power generation, hydrogen vehicles, industrial processes, and more.
Electrolysers contribute to decarbonisation by enabling the production of green hydrogen, which can replace fossil fuels in various applications, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Countrywide is focused on reducing emissions in Australia using renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and displace fossil fuels.
By producing our own hydrogen fuel in Australia we will be reducing reliance on imported diesel and petrol as well as preparing for reductions in the supply and quality of natural gas.
Exporting hydrogen will require investment in infrastructure and shipping and is likely to be an option by 2030 with countries like Japan, Korea, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium all seeking sources of green hydrogen or green ammonia (made from hydrogen) to decarbonise their economies. Countrywide will watch developments in the export space as they evolve.
Countrywide is developing distributed green hydrogen production and refuelling facilities to create Hydrogen HyWays that link regional Australia with capital cities and ports to decarbonise heavy transport.
In addition to decarbonising transport, Countrywide will target displacing natural gas in industrial heating and replacing diesel where it is used for power generation.
Tasmania is the target state for Countrywide’s initial projects with one at Wesley Vale near Devonport in the north and the second at Brighton/Bridgewater near Hobart servicing the south.
Both are based on a 5MW electrolyser.
Daily production will be up to 2.2 tonnes per day, sufficient hydrogen to refuel 30-35 trucks depending on their fuel capacity.
The required land parcel is only 1 hectare to accommodate hydrogen production, hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) and heavy vehicle access.
Access to renewable electricity and water, appropriate zoning for such a project and easy access for trucks for refuelling without having an impact on traffic or safety.
There is little noise from a facility and no harmful emissions in hydrogen produced using an electrolyser. The compressor will be the noise contributor but that is minimal. Another impact will be heavy vehicles coming to refuel but they will be emission, noise, vibration and odour free.
There are three ways:
- Fuel cell – when hydrogen is released into a fuel cell (“hydrogen motor”) and it mixes with air, it creates an electric current which drives the vehicle – it is known as a fuel cell electric vehicle; or
- Internal combustion engine (ICE) – companies have hydrogen ICE engines available which are derived from their diesel engines but operate solely on hydrogen to cut emissions; or
- Hybrid hydrogen/diesel – where technology is installed into an existing diesel vehicle that will allow hydrogen to be blended with diesel to reduce emissions.
Like all fuels, when handled responsibly, there is no risk with hydrogen from a safety perspective. If hydrogen escapes, it is such a light molecule that is dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere. If ignited however it is extremely hot. Regulators regard hydrogen as being like LPG although if LPG escapes it lands on the ground whereas hydrogen blends into the air.
At Countrywide’s facilities hydrogen is stored as a gas under pressure. It can also be liquified at a temperature of -253oC. While liquefaction is expensive, it means far greater volumes can be stored. For long-distance shipping liquefaction will be the answer or green ammonia made from hydrogen and nitrogen.
Around 12-15 minutes for a truck or bus or 3 minutes for a car.
Both Toyota (Mirai) and Hyundai (Nexo) have passenger cars available. Hydrogen fuel cell buses are being trialled in various states and trucks are forecast to be available in 2026.
Both are electric vehicles and operate with no emissions, noise, vibration or odour. A hydrogen vehicle does not require a battery to deliver the electric current to power the vehicle; it comes from the fuel cell.
Founded by Geoff & Inge Drucker, Countrywide Hydrogen is a private Australian company headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria.