Gladstone strengthens title as hydrogen heavyweight

By Jocelyn Sticklen

A state-of-the-art community information centre will be established at CQUniversity's Gladstone Marina campus to coordinate hydrogen industry events and build awareness of a clean energy sector that’s fast-shaping up to be a major local employer.

The Gladstone region is currently home-base for around half of Queensland’s 50-plus registered hydrogen projects all eyeing a slice of a forecast $33 billion behemoth which, by 2040, is expected to support thousands of skilled jobs.

CQUniversity and the Miles Government are partnering to develop and operate the community information centre which will provide immersive experiences to educate and connect members of the community with the hydrogen industry.

Located on the Gladstone Marina Campus and designed to welcome young and old, the Centre will be a hub for information about the production and uses of renewable hydrogen.

Community members will have the chance to learn more about the state’s projects including the more than 20 projects that are under development throughout Central Queensland.

The Centre will generate research projects planned to support a broader community understanding of the opportunities of the hydrogen industry in Queensland, and will enhance community awareness of the emerging hydrogen industry and boost community confidence in hydrogen as a clean, reliable and affordable energy supply.

The initiative is funded by matched funding from the Queensland and Australian Governments as part of the Stanwell-led Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub.

Stanwell and CQU also announced the deepening of their partnership, with Stanwell funding the establishment of a Professorial Chair of Hydrogen at CQUniversity and the appointment of Professor Jonathan Love as the inaugural Stanwell Professorial Chair.

In his role as the Stanwell Professorial Chair of Hydrogen at CQUniversity, Professor Love will focus on applied research that supports Stanwell's strategic vision of advancing the hydrogen industry in Queensland.

Gladstone’s future as a renewable hydrogen powerhouse was reaffirmed late last year when the Australian Government committed funding to develop the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub in partnership with the Queensland Government.

Member for Gladstone and Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing The Honourable Glenn Butcher said: “It’s been known for some time that the Gladstone region is leading the nation in renewable hydrogen investment and innovation.

“The new Central Queensland Hydrogen Community Information Centre at CQUniversity will bring even more focus to the industry-leading work being undertaken here.

“What this means for Gladstone is more industry, more supply chain opportunities and thousands more jobs."

CQUniversity's Director, Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Paul Hodgson said: “The $2 million Central Queensland Hydrogen Community Information Centre is being funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments through the Hydrogen Hub initiative and will be operated in collaboration with CQUniversity.

“The focus will be on building community awareness of the safe and sustainable production of hydrogen and its uses both domestically and offshore.

“Though the Information Centre we will also help to showcase the exciting potential of hydrogen and renewable energy when it comes to Gladstone’s ongoing regional and economic development, and the growth opportunities in education, training and job creation.

“CQUniversity looks forward to working with industry, government and community stakeholders to help improve understanding of hydrogen production and usage and to realise the potential benefits for Gladstone and the wider Central Queensland region."

Stanwell's Chief Executive Officer, Michael O'Rourke said “Stanwell is committed to driving the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry and we are delighted to deepen our partnership with CQU by funding the establishment of the Stanwell Professorial Chair of Hydrogen role at CQU.

“Renewable hydrogen can help achieve several objectives for Central Queensland, Australia, and our trading partners including domestic decarbonisation, economic transition, and new clean energy export markets for Australia.

“In his role, Professor Love will focus on applied research that supports advancing the hydrogen industry in Queensland, including our flagship project, the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2)."