Aalborg Explores CCUS and Hydrogen in Australia (DK)

In November 2024, Aalborg Municipality organized a factfinding mission to Australia to explore opportunities for collaboration in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), including hydrogen technologies. Their findings can easily be transferred to a European setting.

Strengthening Hydrogen Ties

The delegation met with the Australian Hydrogen Council, which promotes hydrogen use and collaborates with industry and policymakers. Australia’s 2 billion AUD hydrogen tax incentive highlights its ambition to expand the sector, creating opportunities for EU-Australia cooperation in integrating hydrogen into decentralized energy systems.

Australia could also serve as a test bed for PtX technologies, where hydrogen and CO₂ are combined for industry. Unlike most European nations, it places less emphasis on CO₂ origin, increasing availability for research and industrial use.

Key Takeaways

7 Insights:

1. Australia has extensive knowledge of carbon capture and storage – less on utilization.
2. Great potential for collaboration between companies, technological innovation centers, and universities.
3. Australia excels at bringing technologies to market quickly.
4. CO₂ storage on land is reliable and operationally secure.
5. In Australia, CO₂ is used regardless of its origin/colour.
6. Potential in exporting European knowledge and technology.
7. Australia is good at citizen dialogue, which is essential to counter public opposition.

3 Recommendations:

1. CCUS should support the green transition – not extend fossil production.
2. The state must set the framework and take responsibility for financing models, collaboration, regulation, and infrastructure.
3. Citizens must be involved, listened to, and ideally benefit from the process.