Oz Hazer in Canadian low-carbon hydrogen plan

Australia’s Hazer Group said February 11 it had executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canada’s Suncor and FortisBC to develop a low-carbon hydrogen facility using Hazer technology.

The Hazer process converts natural gas or other methane feedstocks into hydrogen and high-quality graphite, using iron ore as a process catalyst. It produces about 50% fewer emissions than other processes like steam methane reforming.

The proposed hydrogen facility would process natural gas feedstock, supplied by FortisBC, into 2,500 metric tons/year of low-carbon hydrogen and 9,000 mt/yr of graphite. FortisBC will purchase the hydrogen, while it and Suncor will negotiate a technology access agreement under which they would have exclusive access to the technology for development and deployment in Canada and Colorado.

The first stage of the project involves an initial feasibility study, which is expected to start this month with the award of an engineering services contract. Pending completion of the feasibility study, securing funding arrangements and concluding binding agreements to establish the project consortium, a final investment decision is contemplated in 2023, with operations targeted to begin in 2025.

“The proposed hydrogen project will materially advance the Hazer technology, building on the work that we are doing at the current Hazer commercial demonstration project at Woodman Point in Perth,” Hazer CEO Geoff Ward said. “Canada is an excellent jurisdiction for the Hazer technology, with strong platforms and incentive programmes to drive decarbonisation action, access to a well-priced low carbon intensity electrical grid and strong demand for low-carbon energy across power, heating and industrial sectors.”

The Perth demonstration plant is expected to be completed in July, at an estimated cost of about A$25mn.