Overcoming Supply Chain and Import Challenges Mini Series Episode 4 – BOC

Exploring Hydrogen

This mini-series has been developed off back of some feedback from a few of our listeners who it would be useful and interesting to have more of a discussion from companies that have experience and can share real-life examples of any supply chain and import challenges

A huge shout out to the companies and individuals who were willing to share their learnings in this mini-series and embodying that sense of collaboration with the hydrogen community. So, to Plug Power, BOC, Amarna Energy and ATCO, Thank you.

Chris Dolman is the Business Development Manager for BOC. He’s been working across a number of areas including hydrogen to biomethane and other Gaseous vectors.

BOC is part of the Linde Group, one of the world's largest industrial gas and engineering companies and it operates in over 100 countries. The company supplies a wide range of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which are essential for various industries such as healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.

Globally, Linde plc employs approximately 65,000 people and its operations include production facilities, distribution networks, and extensive research and development activities, making it a critical supplier of industrial gases and engineering solutions worldwide.

● BOC's Role in the Hydrogen Industry

○ Supplying hydrogen globally for over 80 years

○ Operating 170 hydrogen production plants worldwide

○ Transitioning from traditional uses of hydrogen to focusing on hydrogen as an energy vector

● Supply Chain Challenges

○ Impact of COVID-19 on international supply chains

○ Australia’s unique standards and challenges in hydrogen production

○ Difficulties in sourcing specialised equipment like electrolyser stacks and spare parts

● Technical and Engineering Challenges

○ Managing electrolyser "turn-down rates" and balancing plant sizing

○ The complexity of "plug and play" refueler systems

○ Localising skills for hydrogen project engineering and maintenance

● Australia's Hydrogen Projects

○ Insights from the BP-BOC Queensland refuelling project and Toyota Eco Park project

○ Hydrogen buses in Victoria and South Australia as a success story

○ Challenges and cost pressures in hydrogen hub projects, such as the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub

● Lessons for the Future of Hydrogen

○ Importance of having critical spare parts and skilled local workers

○ The need for collaboration within the hydrogen supply chain

○ Australia’s limitations in the hydrogen truck market due to right-hand drive and specialised truck configurations (e.g., B-doubles)

Key Takeaways:

This episode highlights the challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen energy sector, particularly from an Australian perspective. It emphasises the need for collaboration, innovation, and local skill development to overcome supply chain constraints and technical obstacles. The discussion also underscores the importance of planning for long-term growth in hydrogen projects, from sourcing materials to building local expertise.

Links

● linkedin.com/in/chris-dolman-b2509710

● https://www.boc-limited.com.au/en/index.html

Let me know what you think about the mini series. If you like it then we can try feature more companies with their case studies and learnings in future episodes. Please message me with any thoughts and feedback at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymarsland/