ENEOS Direct MCH® Large Scale Demonstration Plant

GPA is proud to have continued its long-standing support of Chiyoda Corporation and ENEOS in delivering one of Australia’s most significant hydrogen demonstration projects, building on the successful development and operation of an earlier small-scale demonstration plant. This latest phase represents a major step forward in the progressive scale-up of the technology and the advancement of a future hydrogen supply chain between Australia and Japan.

Using ENEOS’ Direct MCH Technology, the facility combines hydrogen with toluene to produce methylcyclohexane (MCH) in a single-step process. MCH is a stable liquid organic hydrogen carrier that can be safely transported to Japan using existing shipping and infrastructure. As a result, the technology presents a practical pathway for large-scale hydrogen export that may not be available to other hydrogen transport solutions.

The ENEOS demonstration facility at Bulwer Island, Brisbane, represents the next stage in the technology’s development, following the successful implementation of a smaller demonstration plant. The project was established to validate the technology at a larger scale, providing a critical bridge between pilot operations and future commercial deployment.

As the local engineering partner, GPA provided the following services to support the project:

Site selection studies
Feasibility and FEED
Cost optimisation and technology review studies
Regulatory approvals and third-party stakeholder engagement
Management of imported equipment compliance
Equipment specification, technical bid evaluations and procurement support
3D model development and reviews
Detailed design including Civil, Structural, Mechanical/piping, Process, Electrical, Instrumentation and Control system/Programming and SCADA
Managed Electrical grid connection with local utility
Safety in design management, including functional safety, bespoke risk assessments, consequence modelling, and management of changes
Owners Engineering and local trade support to the Japanese technology supplier
Site construction and commissioning support
Facility control systems programming using Schneider Electric EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert platform and Schneider Electric EcoStruxure™ Control Expert for the Safety Instrumented System
FAT and SAT management for both equipment and facility

The project has been a truly global collaboration between Japanese and Australian partners, demonstrating how the many and often complex challenges of developing novel technologies can be overcome through teamwork.

GPA congratulate ENEOS, Chiyoda Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Altrad, GR Production Services, and all project participants, suppliers and stakeholders on reaching this significant milestone.