AWARDS FINALIST: Hiringa Energy – Heavy transport’s biggest decarbonisation network

Hiringa Energy’s green hydrogen refuelling network is not only a first for this country, but also one of the largest hydrogen infrastructure projects for transport in the southern hemisphere. 

Hydrogen is one of very few technologies capable of decarbonising heavy transport – the country’s second-highest emitting sector. 

Stations 

Planning for the network began in 2017. The first three stations opened in early 2024, and a fourth is set to open later this year. All are on existing Waitomo Group fuel stops servicing petrol and diesel vehicles. 

Strategically siting the first stations in South Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Palmerston North means more than 95 per cent of the North Island's heavy freight routes will be covered, making it more feasible for emission-free hydrogen-powered trucks to replace their diesel counterparts. 

By 2026, the company aims to be fuelling hundreds of hydrogen trucks, removing emissions equivalent to those from tens of thousands of cars. 

Details 

The hydrogen is made, compressed and stored onsite. Each site has 1-2 MW of electrolyser capacity, enabling it to produce up to 880 kg of hydrogen daily. Dispensing capacity can be as high as 2500 kg per site per day when supplemented with deliveries from other sites. The stations have been designed to refuel up to 88 hydrogen heavy fuel cell trucks daily, avoiding emissions equivalent to those from 13,200 cars. 

Onsite compressors take the hydrogen from 40 bar – the pressure from the electrolyser – to 350 bar-plus, shrinking its volume and enabling a truck to be refuelled in less than 15 minutes. 

Future-proofing 

The phase one compression system is built to be upgraded, enabling stations to store more hydrogen and refuel more vehicles faster. 

That includes a doubling of daily capacity, increasing the pressure to 700 bar, and lifting flow rates. 

The stations were designed to be easily replicated, and Hiringa worked with manufacturers and suppliers around the world to develop the technology and make it fit for use in New Zealand. 

In doing so, it has helped pioneer green hydrogen capability and compliance regulations internationally. 

It has also built its own software and operating systems, becoming a full-service provider for its partners and customers. 

Next steps 

Hiringa has also worked with TR Group to facilitate the import of hydrogen trucks, leasing them to logistics companies and their customers. 

There are a dozen hydrogen trucks on New Zealand roads already, both fuel cell and dual-fuel technologies, and Hiringa expects this number to double by the end of the year. 

By its analysis, the cost of buying and operating hydrogen fuel cell trucks will fall to that of diesel trucks somewhere between 2028 and 2030. 

Hiringa’s project is also a critical step towards decarbonising New Zealand’s heavy transport more generally. 

While the initial focus is on trucks and buses, Hiringa is actively working on applications within aviation, rail, marine and the materials-handling sector, as well as off-highway and remote use. 

The Low Carbon Future Award category is sponsored by Energy Resources Aotearoa.