Net-zero solar panels? WA renewable hydrogen project spurs green glass potential

Plans to make net-zero glass – and potentially solar panels – in Western Australia using locally produced renewable hydrogen are starting to take shape, as global energy consultancy Xodus seeks funds for a 1GW electrolyser project.

Scotland-based Xodus says it is sounding out capital and infrastructure partners to back its plans for a green hydrogen production plant in WA’s Mid-West region, with up to 1,000 megawatts of capacity of electrolyser capacity, which would require multiples of that in green energy capacity to supply it.

The project, dubbed MercurHy, would be installed over three phases, scaling up from an initial 150MW in Phase 1, then to 500MW, and then 1,000MW by the end of Phase 3 – an approach Xodus says will allow for the market to mature and for electrolyser prices to fall.

Green glass – and maybe solar

To help sell the plan, Xodus has a deal with ASX-listed resource outfit, VRX Silica, to explore the future supply of renewable hydrogen to power the company’s silica sand projects and potential associated manufacturing.

In an MoU signed in March, VRX Silica said the deal made sense, given the high quality and volume of silica sand at its Arrowsmith and Muchea projects in the Mid-West, and the close proximity to energy infrastructure.

“Glass manufacturing requires considerable energy inputs,” the company said in a statement announcing the MoU.

“The supply of renewable hydrogen to power such glass-manufacturing facilities could potentially lead to the production of net-zero glass.

“The establishment of a glass-making facility in Western Australia would trigger a substantial industry investment, provide long-term production based on VRX’s long-life silica sand supplies and generate a significant number of long-term, permanent jobs in the state,” the company said.

“Glass production could manufacture solar panel-quality glass from Muchea and containers and flat glass from Arrowsmith North, including considerable recycling of glass which is increasingly at the forefront of glass production in Australia.”

Location, location, location

As Xodus notes, WA’s Mid-West region also boasts world class renewable energy resources, including wind farms achieving up to 50% capacity factors, as well as easy access to local ports and electrical infrastructure.

Xodus says it has also had “advanced discussions” with other potential off-takers for the renewable hydrogen plant and has the support of the state government to lay the foundations for new green industry in the region.

“We believe the world needs high quality, scalable renewable energy projects such as MercurHy to bridge the gap between the size of the currently operational projects and the future gigawatt-sized developments,” says Xodus managing director Stephen Swindell.

“The aim of this project is to push the supply chain forward, reduce technology risks and achieve cost reductions.

“It’s an exciting project. We have led it from its infancy and have attracted partners to achieve joint success.

“With the expertise and knowledge to be architects of this opportunity, our aim is to have an active role in energy transition with the high quality, low carbon, economically viable projects that Australia and the world desperately needs.”