Halcyon Power Limited, a joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation, proudly announces its pivotal role in New Zealand’s first-ever export of green hydrogen. This milestone event was marked by the successful shipment to Fiji and the commissioning of a hydrogen dual-fuel generator at Fiji Gas (Lautoka), underscoring Halcyon Power’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

The project utilised geothermal energy from Mōkai, New Zealand – a renewable, carbon-neutral power source – to produce green hydrogen. This hydrogen was safely transported to Fiji, where it now powers a dual-fuel generator capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This system offers the flexibility of running on both hydrogen and diesel, paving the way for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.

James Ataria, Deputy Chairman of the Tūaropaki Trust, said, “This achievement reflects Halcyon Power’s vision and commitment to sustainable energy and our strong partnership with global collaborators like Fiji Gas and the Ministry of Environment, Japan,”

The project demonstrates the potential of international collaboration in addressing pressing issues like climate change and energy security. By integrating a comprehensive green supply chain, this initiative not only lowers emissions but also promotes energy resilience in the Pacific region, a critical need in an era of increasing global energy market volatility.

Halcyon Power extends its gratitude to Tūaropaki Trust, Obayashi Corporation, and the Japanese Government for its support in producing and supplying green hydrogen and to Fiji for embracing this transformative technology. This collaboration highlights the potential for shared innovation to drive meaningful change.

"While helping New Zealand decarbonise, this project unlocks opportunities for hydrogen export and highlights Halcyon Power’s commitment to advancing technology, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and driving a greener future,” noted Aya Inagaki (Head of Operations, Halcyon Power Ltd).

September 4, 2024

Miraka, the world’s first dairy processing company to use renewable geothermal energy, has launched New Zealand’s first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker. The initiative is part of the company’s kaitiakitanga objectives and is expected to achieve a significant reduction in milk collection transport CO2 emissions.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from on-farm milk collection has been a key goal for the innovative, Māori-owned, Taupō based dairy company. The Miraka dairy plant already has one of the world’s lowest manufacturing carbon emissions footprints, emitting 92 per cent less CO2 than traditional coal-fired dairy factories.

Agriculture Minister, Hon Todd McClay, attended the launch ceremony, turning the key on the 700 hp Volvo green hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel milk collection tanker at the Miraka dairy plant at Mokai, northwest of Taupō.

Chair of Miraka, Bruce Scott, said “Today’s introduction of our first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker marks another significant milestone for Miraka.”

“This new vehicle aligns with our founders’ kaitiakitanga vision and values and our commitment to environmental care, supporting Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon future,” said Mr Scott.

Miraka CEO, Karl Gradon, also expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Although hydrogen-powered vehicles are still an emerging technology, we believe green hydrogen represents the most environmentally appropriate energy source for heavy freight.”

“Our green hydrogen dual-fuel tanker is designed to reduce milk collection CO2 emissions by approximately 35 per cent per vehicle, benefitting te taiao, the environment and our community.”

“We’re proud to reach this milestone. I especially wish to acknowledge our transport and hydrogen partners, Central Transport Ltd and Halcyon Power, for their support,” Gradon added.

Karl Gradon: “One year ago today, we, along with Central Transport and Halcyon, entered into a partnership establishing a Rural Hydrogen Hub, which we one day hope to expand nationwide. Launching our first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker one year later is a tremendous achievement which we look forward to seeing rolled out across the fleet.”

Tūaropaki Trust, a cornerstone shareholder in Miraka, provides geothermal energy and steam for the Miraka dairy plant through its Mokai Power Station.

Under a joint venture partnership with Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, Tūaropaki established Halcyon Power, New Zealand’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen plant. Halcyon will supply the green hydrogen for the new tanker from their facility which is adjacent to the Miraka dairy plant.

Tahana Tippett-Tapsell, Tūaropaki General Manager of Culture and Legacy, said the hub embodied the Trust’s vision of a sustainable circular economy and its guiding principle to look after the land and the land will look after you.

“The developments here at Mokai show that our investment in geothermal energy for process heat, clean power generation and green hydrogen production can be a low emissions contributor to our economy. Halcyon Power is a proud supporter of this drive.

We look forward to the Trust’s investment contributing to the success of our owners and their descendants,” said Mr Tippett-Tapsell.

Central Transport Ltd (CTL) is a leading freight company and the exclusive supplier of milk tanker transport to Miraka. CTL has 80 trucks in its overall fleet.

Central Transport Managing Director, Brendon Cane, stated, “CTL are proud to be collaborating with Miraka and Halcyon on this future focused initiative. We're always keen to innovate and seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint. This green hydrogen-powered vehicle is a great example of that.”

The green hydrogen dual-fuel tanker, New Zealand’s first of its kind for milk collection, will cover approximately 165,000 kilometres annually. It has the capacity to haul 58 metric tonnes and requires two hydrogen refills daily.

April 22, 2024

Halcyon, New Zealand’s leading green hydrogen producer, has today opened the country’s first green hydrogen fast refuelling station at Wiri, South Auckland.

This is the second step in a growing nationwide network of supply locations being pioneered by Halcyon and other early adopters of hydrogen technology. The refueller, manufactured by H2H Energy and installed in partnership with MB Century and BECA, is located on the Coregas site on Roscommon Road.

In 2021, Halcyon (a 50/50 joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation) opened New Zealand’s first green hydrogen production facility at the Mōkai geothermal power plant northwest of Taupō. The facility can produce 180 tonnes of green hydrogen per year using electricity generated by Tūaropaki Power Company, a partnership that provides clear traceability for its low-carbon credentials.

“We have learned two things from our transport customers since we opened our hydrogen plant at Mōkai,” said Dave Binnie, Tūaropaki Trust’s General Manager Energy, “firstly, they need to fill up closer to main trucking routes and secondly, they want to fill as fast as they could with diesel. We’ve designed the fast refueller to do just that.”

The refueller can also be relocated as customer needs change.

“Demand is increasing in Auckland but it’s also emerging in other places in New Zealand so we’ve designed in the ability to respond and support new customers as they develop,” said Obayashi Corporation’s general manager Tatsuya Inokuchi.

Coregas NZ also played a key role in the partnership. The company’s long experience in the gas manufacturing and supply industry was critical in the project’s technical and compliance aspects.

Halcyon’s model of hubs, such as the Mōkai green energy hub, allowed several customers to be supplied from one source, kept costs down and provided economies of scale, said Binnie.

“We have found that reliable and local supply gives our customers the confidence to invest and innovate and we are pleased with the response that other leaders in hydrogen, including Auckland Transport, Toyota, Hyundai and HW Richardson have had to our new development in Auckland.”

The venture between Tūaropaki and Obaysahi and their common interests in geothermal power generation showed the value of combining renewable energy and hydrogen, said Inokuchi.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved by private enterprise, expertise and international collaboration ahead of effective mechanisms in NZ which acknowledge the true value of green hydrogen while also reflecting the true environmental cost of high carbon fuels such as diesel.”

March 20, 2023

Transitioning the heavy transport industry to green, alternative fuels is one step closer with two hydrogen suppliers teaming up to get dual fuel hydrogen trucks on the road.

Halcyon Power Ltd has supplied green hydrogen to support HW Richardson (HWR) Group’s programme to transition to carbon neutral transport.

HWR will use the hydrogen in its dual fuel truck trials in the coming months.

The Invercargill-headquartered company, New Zealand’s largest privately-owned transport company, sees the use of dual fuel trucks – in which hydrogen is combined with diesel as a dual fuel energy source – as a viable transition to eventually running its whole fleet on hydrogen alone, using fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) or hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE).

Dual fuel modifications to an existing combustion engine can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%.

As well as currently commissioning its first dual fuel truck from a European supplier, HWR has announced plans to have 10 retrofitted trucks on the road in the second quarter of 2023 to coincide with its own first hydrogen plant being commissioned. This refuelling site is set to open in Gore later this year.

Halcyon Power project leader Aya Inagaki said Halcyon was pleased to be the supplier of green hydrogen from its Mōkai electrolyser to bridge the gap between HWR’s testing of dual fuel technology and its own hydrogen production coming on stream.

“Co-operation to accelerate the transition away from carbon-based fuels in the heavy transport sector is in everyone’s best interests,” she said.

HWR CEO Anthony Jones said teaming up with Halcyon until the company’s own hydrogen refuelling site opened made sense because it allowed HWR’s dual fuel trial to gather valuable data.

“When our HWR Hydrogen Gore site opens, we’ll have the most up-to-date and comprehensive information as to how to get the best hydrogen performance from our fleet and forge the path for other heavy transports to follow,” he said.

Halcyon Power, New Zealand’s first megawatt scale green hydrogen facility, had already supplied hydrogen to a number of FCEV projects, Inagaki said, but this was the first time it had been for a dual fuel project.

August 1, 2022

The second annual Geothermal Week in Taupō in late July was an opportunity for Tūaropaki Trust General Manager Energy David Binnie to present to industry insiders on ‘Building a green hydrogen supply chain in Aotearoa New Zealand’.

Binnie’s presentation during the NZ Geothermal Association’s Winter Seminar fitted well with the seminar’s overall title ‘Towards Net Zero: Building a Sustainable Future’ and followed keynote speakers Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources, and Andrew Caseley, CE of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Woods acknowledged the efforts of Halcyon Power Ltd in getting out of the blocks first with green hydrogen, while Caseley, who overall stressed a real sense of urgency in reducing emissions, at one point raised the issue of hard-to-decarbonise sectors like heavy transport.

Halcyon Power’s future plans for fast refuelling (something akin to the 15 minutes a truck would currently experience) and a distribution facility in South Auckland would tie in to creating a better user-experience with the fuel and overcome fear of change, responded Binnie.

While green hydrogen solutions were available right now, he said, customers needed confidence in product supply, but that cost of supply would be more expensive than fossil fuels until technology advances or government policy levelled the playing field.

Currently we were not factoring into a (pollutive) fuel or energy price the delays or barriers to the uptake of low or no emission alternatives – such as the intergenerational cost of coping with catastrophic climate events that the world was currently experiencing.

Policy reform could ensure that the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) drove actual emission reductions now rather than leaving it for future generations.

Also not helpful was a growth in competitive rhetoric between advocates of hydrogen, electric vehicles and bio-fuels – as the switch away from fossil fuels needed co-operation and a desire to share technology. In fact, we could be considering co-located hydrogen and EV charging infrastructure as the country built a reliable and efficient fuelling network, he said.

Critical as well for hydrogen was building flexible capacity slightly ahead of demand.

Binnie also stressed that Halcyon Power, the 50/50 joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation, was consistent with a commitment in both companies to intergenerational investment and sustainability.

Partnerships between companies with like-minded visions could bring collaboration with the power to spark innovation, he said, though in quoting Bill Gates earlier he had also noted: “To truly combat climate change, everyone in the world will need to change their mindsets and behaviour.”

May 31, 2022

The latest zero emission hydrogen technology is now visible on central North Island roads.

Tūaropaki Trust, a land-based organisation near Taupō with interests in geothermal energy, milk powder production, energy services, horticulture, food innovation technology, viticulture and dairy farming, has taken ownership of a new Hyundai NEXO.

The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle will be used to demonstrate the potential of green hydrogen as a transport fuel, says the Trust’s General Manager Energy David Binnie.

It will run on the hydrogen being produced at Halcyon Power Limited’s green hydrogen plant at Mōkai.

Halcyon, a 50/50 venture between the Trust and Obayashi Corporation, one of Japan’s leading construction companies known for technological innovation, was officially opened in December last year.

Because it uses electricity generated by Tūaropaki Power Company’s geothermal power station, Halcyon’s source of production energy is carbon-neutral and renewable. As a transport fuel, hydrogen results in zero operating emissions with the only discharge being water vapour.

These two aspects were integral to the Trust’s involvement in hydrogen as an energy project and its purchase of the Hyundai FCEV, says Trust chief executive officer Steve Murray.

“Tūaropaki has sustainability as one of its guiding principles and the green hydrogen project with the involvement of Obayashi and their sustainable development goals is a perfect fit.

“Ultimately we are looking at a national hydrogen supply chain that includes transportation, site storage and refuelling infrastructure.”

Hyundai New Zealand CEO Andy Sinclair, adds: “For a long time, hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future. But today is proof that it’s now the fuel of today. We brought NEXO, New Zealand’s first hydrogen-powered vehicle into the country in 2019, so are delighted to see it in its first commercial use with Tūaropaki Trust.”

Since completing post commissioning due diligence, Halcyon has been contributing hydrogen to a number of vehicle trials.

Binnie said the company saw testing and validation as part of its role as a hydrogen innovator.

Among the vehicles for which it has been a testing bed, Halcyon has been supplying green hydrogen for commercial trials of the first FCEV truck in New Zealand – the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell.

The first of these is expected to be in commercial operation at the end of June with Hyundai announcing another will be on the road by the end of the year and more coming in 2023.

An XCIENT Fuel Cell travelling 80,000km per year is expected to save 50 tonnes of CO2 in emissions while figures from the US Environmental Protection Agency suggest a zero-emission passenger vehicle saves about 4.6 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“Transport emissions in New Zealand contribute around 25% of our total emissions so targeting reduction in transport, and in particular heavy transport, will make a major contribution to carbon reduction. Hydrogen is a solution that is ready to implement now,” Murray says.

“It is important that we build customer confidence in the reliable, effective supply of hydrogen to grow the industry. The leadership that we have shown to date and the partnerships we have formed with companies like Hyundai give us an ideal opportunity to do that.”

NEXO and XCIENT Fuel Cell are the embodiment of its long-term commitment to introducing hydrogen-powered transport in New Zealand and around the world, says Hyundai.

The NEXO joins six new Hyundai electric and hybrid vehicles introduced to New Zealand over the past 12-months. Hyundai New Zealand’s eco-friendly models include New Zealand and World Car of the Year IONIQ 5, the Kona Electric, IONIQ fastback (which is available in electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid), and Santa Fe, Tucson plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and non-pluggable hybrids (HEV) and Kona HEV.

“As part of a line-up that includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric models, NEXO underscores our leadership in eco-mobility and our commitment to a sustainable, low-emissions motoring future in this country,” says Sinclair.

December 9, 2021

A green hydrogen production operation near Taupō is set to enter a new phase.

NZ’s first ‘green hydrogen’ plant was officially opened today (Thursday, December 9) by Minister of Energy and Resources Megan Woods. The plant was established by Halcyon Power Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation of Japan, and has been in development since 2018.

Halcyon Power uses electricity generated by geothermal power to electrolyze water to produce ‘green hydrogen’. It expects to begin wholesaling hydrogen domestically in January and will produce around 180 tonnes in the first year. The ultimate aim, said Tūaropaki chief executive officer Steve Murray, is to complete a hydrogen supply chain that includes transportation, site storage and refuelling infrastructure.

Tūaropaki Trust has a track record of NZ firsts, opening the Mōkai power station, near Taupō, in 2000 - the country’s first privately developed and owned geothermal plant. Tūaropaki entered the joint venture with Obayashi to encourage the commercial production and wider use of hydrogen as a transport fuel. Obayashi Corporation is one of Japan’s most successful construction companies, known for expertise and technological innovation, and played a key role in the construction of Auckland’s Waterview Connection road tunnel. Technology for the plant, including the electrolyzer, was supplied by Hydrogenics/Cummins.

Murray said the future of green hydrogen - produced with renewable electricity - was not only as a substitute for fossil fuels in the transport sector but also to replace hydrogen used in industrial processes and produced using natural gas or coal.

“Halcyon Power aligns with our values to look after our environment and champion research and development of alternative renewable energy. While helping New Zealand decarbonise, this project opens up the potential for the country to export hydrogen and intellectual property related to hydrogen as a transport fuel.”

Tūaropaki chair Gina Rangi said as well as fitting with the trust’s ethos to protect and sustainably develop its land and people, the hydrogen plant was a step towards the country’s Zero Carbon Act goals of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

In a videoed address Obayashi Corporation president Kenji Hasuwa said hydrogen production and application was a major trend in de-carbonization with the state-of-the-art facility enhancing the country’s competitiveness and renown. The completion of the plant was not the endpoint, he said.

“Together with Tūaropaki we will investigate building a hydrogen supply chain in New Zealand that spans production, transportation and application, and contribute to the greening of the country.”

Halcyon Power project manager Aya Inagaki said commissioning of the plant was now complete, and post commission due diligence should be completed by the end of December. At this stage, retailers will be able to collect the gas, she said, which would be priced competitively to enhance its attractiveness as an alternative fuel. Normally fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) would require around 5kg to fill the tank, for a range of over 600-800 km.