Globally, hydrogen is undergoing a renaissance as the world seeks to decarbonise.
Water utilities can play a potentially large role in decarbonising the economy through both biogas, which is produced in wastewater treatment, and hydrogen, which can be both an energy source and a fuel. Water utilities are in a unique position of competitive advantage with regard to the requirements of production, including having access to water, land away from population centres but close to markets, and renewable energy. Two Australian examples of water utility hydrogen projects are Yarra Valley Water in Melbourne, and Water Corporation in Western Australia, which have used their particular circumstances to participate in the hydrogen value chain in different ways.
This case study is from Towards Resilience: Climate change and the urban water industry in Australia and New Zealand.