Are you interested in renewable energy and want to make a difference? Then the hydrogen sector could be the perfect choice for you. Hydrogen is an exciting new industry in Australia, offering a range of lucrative job opportunities for new and skilled professionals. Below you can find the details about Australia’s hydrogen sector and the job opportunities available in it.
The Potential of Hydrogen as an Alternative Energy Source
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and can be produced from a variety of sources, including water, natural gas, and biomass. When hydrogen is burned, it produces only water vapour and does not emit any harmful pollutants, making it a potentially clean and renewable energy source. The potential of hydrogen as an alternative energy source has been recognised for several decades, with research and development efforts aimed at finding ways to produce and use hydrogen more efficiently and cost-effectively. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in hydrogen as a potential alternative to fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, where hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a viable alternative to traditional combustion engines.
Development of Hydrogen Industry- A Key Priority for Australia
The Australian government has identified the hydrogen industry as a key priority for the country, with a focus on building a domestic hydrogen supply chain and becoming a major exporter of hydrogen to international markets. Additionally, the government has also committed significant funding to support the development of the hydrogen industry in the country, including a $1.9 billion package announced in September 2020 as part of the Technology Investment Roadmap. Australia is well positioned to become a major player in the global hydrogen industry, with its abundance of renewable energy resources, including solar and wind power, which can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. The country also has a strong manufacturing industry, which could potentially be transformed by the development of the hydrogen industry.
[Read more at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/hydrogen]
Accordingly, there is an increasing number of job opportunities created and available in the process across different areas in the Hydrogen Sector.
Following are some of the great job opportunities available in the growing hydrogen sector of Australia:
- Hydrogen Production:
This includes roles such as chemical engineers, process engineers, and plant operators who work in facilities that produce hydrogen through various methods such as steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and biomass gasification.
- Hydrogen Storage and Transportation:
Mechanical engineers, pipeline engineers, and logistics specialists are required to design and maintain infrastructure for storing, transporting, and distributing hydrogen. Australia is already working on a number of projects to develop hydrogen infrastructure, including pipelines and refuelling stations.
The HyResource hydrogen projects map provides a spatial representation of projects across Australia as well as filtering capability by status, main end use, and main proponents.
Check it out: https://www.csiro.au/en/maps/hydrogen-projects
Fuel Cell Technology:
Fuel cell engineers and technicians are the roles included in this field whereby they are responsible for designing, developing, and testing fuel cell systems for various applications, including transportation and stationary power. Australia is also investing in research and development in this area, with a number of pilot projects already underway.
Research and Development:
Scientists, engineers, and technicians are involved in researching and developing new technologies and methods for producing, storing, and using hydrogen. There are already a number of universities and research institutions in Australia working on hydrogen-related research projects.
Sales and Marketing:
Sales representatives, account managers, and marketing specialists are responsible for promoting and selling hydrogen-related products and services. As the industry grows, there will likely be increasing demand for these roles.
Government and Policy:
Policy analysts and government affairs specialists work with government agencies to develop policies and regulations that support the growth of the hydrogen industry.
Being a part of the growing hydrogen sector, Australia has been providing a number of high-quality jobs to professionals. With hydrogen sectors being promoted as one of the key technologies of future energy systems, it is a good time for professionals to invest in their careers. The exciting opportunities available in this industry are ideal for new graduates looking to make a career change, or experienced workers who want to gain experience in a fast-growing industry before moving on to bigger and better things.