Port of Hastings

Liquefaction and Loading

The newly constructed liquefaction, storage and loading facility will convert hydrogen gas (H2) to liquefied hydrogen (LH2) using existing commercial technology already in use overseas.

Stage 4. Liquefaction of Hydrogen Gas

Location: Port of Hastings

The liquefaction plant will use established technology already in use around the world will convert hydrogen gas into liquefied hydrogen (LH2). The liquefaction process will cool the hydrogen gas to −253°C and reduce it to 1/800th of its gaseous volume.

The plant is the first hydrogen liquefaction facility in Australia for demonstration purposes.

Storage and ship loading

Stage 5. LH2 Storage and Ship Loading

Location: Port of Hastings

Liquefied hydrogen will be held in a storage container before being loaded onto a marine carrier for transport to Japan. KHI is developing a specialised system to load the liquefied hydrogen onto the carrier.

KHI has more experience than any other company in the storage and transport of liquefied hydrogen. The company built the storage tanks used to hold hydrogen rocket fuel at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Centre. This technology has been in use for more than 25 years.

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Status of the Port of Hastings plant:

  • Has an overall footprint of approximately 2.5 hectares.
  • Has a 0.25 tonne per day liquefaction capacity.
  • Has a 41m3 LH2 storage container.
  • The pilot phase specialised marine carrier is expected to have a ship tank capacity of 1,250m3 and make the first shipment in early 2021.
  • In Hastings, around 60 direct jobs have been created for the construction phase, while 15 are expected to operate the facility. 200 indirect jobs have been created during both the construction and operation phases.
  • The liquefaction of hydrogen gas which is to be produced and transported from the Latrobe Valley is likely to commence in early 2021. 
Port of Hastings FAQ
Hastings Plant