Boundary Power has developed a hydrogen-integrated, relocatable standalone power system (HiSAPS)—the first of its kind in Australia—funded by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Victoria.
Related article: Boundary Power deploys its first SAPS in eastern states
The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, and Minister for the State Electricity Commission, visited Ampcontrol manufacturing facilities in Ringwood, Victoria, on October 9, 2023, to see the demonstration unit in action and learn about the world-leading technology that is helping to solve the most complex problems in energy production.
Boundary Power proposed the hydrogen-integrated stand-alone power system (HiSAPS) project as part of the Victorian Government Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund, successfully receiving a $176,150 grant to develop a demonstration unit as an evidence base for decarbonisation for Victoria to produce and use renewable hydrogen trials in real-world applications.
The 100% Renewable HiSAPS uses solar power and a renewable hydrogen hybrid battery to store and generate electricity when required. The design utilises Boundary Power’s award-winning Solar Qube product, a relocatable all-in-one standalone power system. Ampcontrol design engineers collaborated with Selectronic for the Solar Qube electrical design to develop advanced features using the Australian designed and manufactured Selectronic battery inverter.
The concept of the HiSAPS design was to replace the onboard diesel generator with a self-contained hydrogen power system, developed by LAVO. The LAVO unit is a prototype system developed and tested in NSW and deployed for trials across Australia.
The HiSAPS demonstration project and its associated design, installation and integration have provided valuable insights into the technical, regulatory and safety aspects of integrating hydrogen systems into a stand-alone power system.
Initiatives under the Victorian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan had the following objectives:
- kick-start investment in Victoria’s renewable hydrogen sector
- unlock co-investment and partnership opportunities for applicants, creating new jobs and economic growth for Victoria
- provide an evidence base for decarbonisation through renewable hydrogen and enable demonstration projects to lead the way to commercialisation
- raise awareness of Hydrogen in Victoria
- create a streamlined process for industry-government interactions and knowledge sharing.
Related article: Essential Energy trialling hydrogen-powered SAPS
The project is now entering the operational phase, where the system performance will be monitored for 12 months, creating a repository of insightful technical data and knowledge on the journey towards zero emissions future SPS.
