Hydrogen will drive Emerald kids to school as clean energy fleet expands
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Photo: Emerald Coaches directors Michael and Rachael Baulch
Bowen Basin kids will soon ride to school on buses powered by renewable hydrogen, with Emerald Coaches set to join the growing Queensland clean energy fleet.
The company has received a grant from the Queensland Government Hydrogen Industry Development Fund to introduce two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses into its fleet by mid-2023.
Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the project will demonstrate the commercial viability of transitioning a regional bus fleet to new technology renewable hydrogen.
“The buses will service school routes and mine sites, and will be capable of travelling hundreds of kilometres a day on a single tank of hydrogen.
“Refuelling will take place at the company’s Emerald depot and will mirror current diesel refuelling time, maintaining operational flexibility,” the Minister said.
Last September, Emerald Coaches released its emission zero strategy, which the company says is the first of its kind in the Australian bus industry.
Company director, Michael Baulch, said Emerald Coaches has committed to reaching zero emissions by 2040.
“A key component is the conversion of our vehicles to be powered by renewable green hydrogen, a $100 million project between now and 2040.
“Another important component is the upskilling of our workers and the potential upskilling of other industries in the area.
“We think this will create manufacturing opportunities in the hydrogen fuel cell area, and provide jobs throughout central Queensland,” Mr Baulch said.
A Deloitte Access Economics report released in late 2021 found significant opportunities for jobs growth in central Queensland in clean electricity (7.8% per year), hydrogen (6.9% per year) and base metal mining (4.9% per year).
The new buses for Emerald will join a growing fleet of zero emissions vehicles across Queensland, with electric buses in the south-east since last April, and more due for Cairns, Logan, and the Gold and Sunshine coasts in coming months.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said Emerald expands the Queensland section of the national hydrogen super-highway that will open up clean energy for domestic use in heavy transport.
“We’re investing to establish a long-term, thriving domestic hydrogen industry, giving industries like freight access to competitively priced lower-emission energy options.”
