Eneos Corporation has solidified its commitment to establishing a viable green hydrogen supply chain by awarding Chiyoda Corporation an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for a cutting-edge direct methylcyclohexane (MCH) electrosynthesis plant in Brisbane, Australia. This project marks a significant step forward from previous demonstration efforts, aiming to resolve key challenges for the widespread implementation of MCH as a hydrogen carrier.

The AUD $200 million ($129.9 million) facility, announced by Eneos in December, is designed to produce 680 kilograms of hydrogen per day. This ambitious project builds upon a successful demonstration plant, integrating a significantly scaled-up direct MCH electrolyser developed by Eneos. The new plant will further validate the technology's commercial viability and operational efficiency.

Construction is slated to commence this year, with the first MCH production anticipated in 2025. A key aspect of the project involves shipping a portion of the produced MCH to Japan, facilitating the establishment of a robust international hydrogen supply chain.

This initiative is a continuation of the Green Innovation Fund Projects, commissioned by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO). These projects are crucial in advancing large-scale hydrogen supply chains and developing innovative technologies like direct MCH electrosynthesis.

Chiyoda Corporation, an integrated engineering company, expressed its dedication to the project in an online statement, emphasizing its commitment to the EPC business and advancing innovative technologies for a sustainable society. Their involvement underscores the project's complexity and the need for experienced engineering expertise.

The foundation for this project was laid by a previous demonstration plant that integrated a 150kW electrolyser with a 250kW solar power system to produce green MCH from renewable energy. In 2023, Eneos conducted an eight-month demonstration trial, successfully producing approximately two to three tonnes of hydrogen. This product was then transported from Australia to Eneos' Central Technical Research Laboratory in Japan for hydrogen extraction, proving the feasibility of transporting hydrogen in the form of MCH.

MCH is considered a promising hydrogen carrier due to its liquid state at ambient temperatures and pressures, simplifying storage and transportation compared to gaseous hydrogen. The direct electrosynthesis process developed by Eneos further enhances efficiency by combining hydrogen production and MCH synthesis in a single step.

The new Brisbane plant aims to refine this process, addressing potential obstacles to commercialization. By scaling up the electrolyser and optimizing the production process, Eneos and Chiyoda are paving the way for a reliable and cost-effective green hydrogen supply chain. This project is not only crucial for meeting Japan's growing hydrogen demand but also for contributing to global efforts to decarbonize energy systems.