Toyota: Hydrogen Demonstration Plant
Producing green energy to refuel cars
The objective
LM Engineering was engaged to project manage and deliver new Hydrogen Demonstration Plant. We have been working with Toyota since they commenced importing hydrogen vehicles into Australia.
Toyota’s vision was to showcase and educate the use of hydrogen and mobility to industry groups, government, media and the public. The plant demonstrates that the use of solar energy with the combination of battery storage can produce hydrogen to refuel vehicles. This modern and innovative use of energy can supply electricity to the grid through a fuel cell. The Hydrogen Demonstration Plant was developed in conjunction with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The project welcomely corresponds with Toyota’s global target of net zero Co2 emissions.
The process
As the project managers for the delivery of the plant, LM Engineering’s scope included:
Working alongside Toyota to specify and procure the required equipment from overseas vendors, and engaging local suppliers for equipment and services installation.
Development of a risk-based design approach, ongoing consultation with all required authorities, and engagement with subject matter experts through the project delivery stage.
Obtaining the required council planning approvals to allow construction of the plant to proceed.
Managing the on-site build, and overcoming various challenges that arose as a result of this being the first plant of its kind in Australia, to ensure efficient and safe delivery of the project.
The outcome
The existing manufacturing infrastructure was repurposed into a fully integrated hydrogen site, complete with electrolyser, commercial-grade hydrogen refuelling station, and an education centre for live demonstrations. With a firm budget and high expectations, the new Hydrogen Demonstration Plant was successfully launched on time and under budget, this paved the way for new refuelling plants to be established across the country.
LM Engineering continues to work closely with Toyota on a variety of new projects.
Read more about the project here.
