Environment & Energy

Caribbeans

(1,245 posts) Fri Aug 15, 2025, 11:29 PM Aug 15

Hydrogen Buses Hit the Road in Tasmania with Local Refuelling Tech

Photo: Metro Tasmania

Hydrogen Buses Hit the Road in Tasmania with Local Refuelling Tech

FuelCellsWorks.com | August 15, 2025

Tasmania has rolled out its first hydrogen electric buses (HEBs) in Hobart, celebrating the milestone with key partners and stakeholders. The three bright green buses, part of Metro’s Hobart fleet, form the core of the state’s Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) trial — the first public transport project in Tasmania to run on locally produced hydrogen. The initiative aims to demonstrate the operational capabilities of hydrogen buses in real-world urban routes while reducing emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

These innovative buses use electric motors powered by batteries, which are charged by on-board hydrogen fuel cells, emitting only water vapour. Our HEBs are refuelled with green hydrogen at Metro’s dedicated refuelling station.

...

Over the next two years, the HEBs will continue to operate on a variety of Metro’s Hobart routes, collecting valuable data and insights on how this technology performs in Tasmania’s unique climate and terrain. This trial is a significant step forward in Metro’s modernisation journey and will deliver important learnings for both Metro and the wider Tasmanian hydrogen industry...

....At the heart of Tasmania’s Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) trial is the Australian-built H2CORE refuelling system from H2H Energy — a 40ft high-cube containerised unit capable of dispensing hydrogen at either 35 or 70 MPa. Designed for operational flexibility, it can store hydrogen onsite and be supplied by either a tube trailer or directly from an electrolyser. This adaptability is aimed at lowering the infrastructure barriers that have historically slowed the shift to hydrogen-powered fleets.

In Hobart, the H2CORE has already proven its worth. It delivers fast, reliable refuelling for three busy public hydrogen buses on a daily schedule..more
https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/08/15/fuel-cells/hydrogen-buses-hit-the-road-in-tasmania-with-local-refuelling-tech

7 Tasmania News - Green Hydrogen Production and Research Facility

But we're told "There is no green hydrogen!"

1 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Hydrogen Buses Hit the Road in Tasmania with Local Refuelling Tech (Original Post) Caribbeans Aug 15 OP

There is Even Natural (aka "White") Hydrogen in Tasmania MrWowWow Aug 16 #1

MrWowWow

(875 posts)

1. There is Even Natural (aka "White") Hydrogen in Tasmania

Reply to Caribbeans (Original post)

Sat Aug 16, 2025, 12:46 AM

Aug 16

natural hydrogen (geologic or “white” hydrogen) does indeed exist in Tasmania, and the region is now the subject of active exploration efforts.

Here’s a list of supporting URLs:

https://www.naturalhydrogen.com.au

https://mrt.tas.gov.au/news/old_news/stratigraphic_reconstructions_of_bulk_volatile_chemistry_from_fluid_inclusions_in_cores_from_bruny_island_and_glenorchy

https://research.csiro.au/hyresource/hydrogen-production-and-research-facility

---

Evidence of Natural Hydrogen in Tasmania

1. Exploration Projects by Natural Hydrogen Pty Ltd

A company named Natural Hydrogen holds two exploration licenses in Tasmania:

Orford licence (EL 11/2023): Granted December 2024, covering ~4,055 km².

Franklin licence (EL 23/2024): Registered December 2024, covering ~2,848 km².
Both projects include multi-year exploration programs involving geologic and geophysical surveys and planned drilling.

2. Geoscience Australia & Mineral Resources Tasmania Studies

Collaboratively, these agencies published reports (August 2023) on natural hydrogen potential using analyses of fluid inclusions in drill cores from areas like Glenorchy and Bruny Island.

3. CSIRO & Geoscience Australia Research (HyResearch)

As part of a national study, CSIRO partnered with Geoscience Australia and Mineral Resources Tasmania in a project (2021–2024) focused on natural hydrogen exploration. This work included:

Soil gas surveys

Fluid inclusion analyses of Tasmanian core samples

Passive seismic surveys investigating historical hydrogen occurrences

4. Geological Context Favoring Hydrogen Formation

Tasmania’s geology — with its extensive iron-rich Precambrian and doleritic rocks — makes it favorable for hydrogen generation through processes like radiolysis and hydrolytic reactions.

---

Broader Context: Natural Hydrogen in Australia

National Resource Potential: Recent studies show that Australia’s ancient cratonic regions — including sedimentary basins and non-sedimentary rock formations — hold promise for natural hydrogen generation and trapping. Some vast estimates suggest onshore resource potential between ~1.6 and 58 million m³ per year (to depths of 1 km).

Mechanisms of Hydrogen Formation: Natural hydrogen arises from geological processes such as:

Radiolysis: Water splitting by natural radiation.

Serpentinization: Reaction between water and ultramafic rocks.

Hydrolytic/oxidation reactions involving iron-rich rock.

---

Summary

Yes — Tasmania hosts confirmed potential for natural hydrogen.
This is supported by:

Licensing for exploration in Orford and Franklin areas.

Published core analysis reports by government agencies.

Scientific investigation by CSIRO and partners.

Favorable regional geology involving iron-rich and doleritic rock formations.

---

Reply to this discussion