In this episode of Exploring Hydrogen, we are transported across the ditch to New Zealand to learn how Andrew Clennett Co-founder and CEO of Hiringa Energy is developing one of the world’s first nationwide green hydrogen refueling networks, and how this transferable model can transform Australia and Southeast Asia’s transition to hydrogen.

With Andrew’s 25 years of international experience in the energy sector, senior management roles and executive roles in multinational energy companies, Andrew provides valuable insights into Hiringa’s innovative developments and 5-year plan in the hydrogen refueling sector, and New Zealand and Australia’s hydrogen landscape.

Hiringa Energy is a clean hydrogen company focused on developing the hydrogen value chain to assist  decarbonisation at scale, this is being pursued via the heavy transport area in Australia and New Zealand.  The Hiringa team borrows heavily from energy, oil and gas backgrounds and clean tech skills and techno-economics in order to excel the uptake of hydrogen in refueling heavy vehicles. To demonstrate the efficiency of emissions reduction in the heavy transport sector - the volume of CO2 reduced by one hydrogen powered truck is equivalent to 150 cars’ emissions. Hiringa acknowledges the need for meaningful partnerships in the transition to new energy and developing investable propositions – the energy to change, together.

1:30 - About Hiringa - developing the hydrogen value chain and commercialising green energy

4:30 - Hiringa’s heat map and refueling stations roll out across New Zealand 

6:30 - Efficient capital to emission reduction: high capacity refueling back-to-back – 100 heavy vehicles a day, 10-15min to refuel large vehicles

11:45 - Beyond heavy transportation sector, what other areas is Hiringa locking into? The benefits of variety of energy trading 

16:21 - Unlocking the commercialisation of hydrogen and accelerating demand, up against the 150 years of economy of scale

24:10 - Potential for seasonal storage of hydrogen in New Zealand - virtual battery

26:36 - Potential for green ammonia powering sea vessels and assisting transport of hydrogen overseas

29:30 - Why is New Zealand’s green transport more advanced than Australia and many nations? First mover advantage, government policy and the ecosystem

33:30 - Nimble business environment in New Zealand – promotes elegant business strategy for hydrogen development

35:00 - What policy and business strategy changes would you like to see in Australia?

37:50 - The path to co-founding Hiringa... Silicon Valley style set up

44:45 - Five-year aspirations for Hiringa - strong refueling network growth in New Zealand, and across to Australia and beyond...

48:30 - How can Australia become a leader in hydrogen 

50:10 - Together is the way towards decarbonisation 

Andrew’ Bio:

Andrew is a co-founder and CEO of Hiringa Energy, a company actively developing green hydrogen infrastructure across New Zealand and Australia including one of the world’s first nation-wide green hydrogen refuelling networks. 

He has over 25 years of international experience in the energy sector having held a number of senior management and executive roles in multinational energy companies. 

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Mechanical/Electrical Engineering and is a board member of the New Zealand Hydrogen Council. 

As CEO of Hiringa Energy he has worked to bring the hydrogen opportunity to the forefront in the energy transition, bridging new energy models with the existing industries and building partnerships across sectors. His passion is to unlock commerciality and accelerate our transition to zero emission energy systems.

Andrew Clennett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-clennett-81bbb4/

Hiringa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringa-energy-ltd/

Hiringa Website: www.hiringa.co.nz