Protos Consulting – Today – helping the move to Net-Zero 

As the World attempts to move towards a Net-Zero CO2 emissions Global Economy, the proven technology of CO2 capture with permanent geosequestration in sub-sea storage, together with gasification and synthesis technologies for alternative fuels & biofuels, including CO2-based synthesis, will become increasingly important. Costa’s interests today focus on these technology areas, and the technologies to enable large-scale Liquefied Hydrogen (LH2) shipping for future global trade in Green LH2, similar to the way LNG is shipped and traded around the world today.

Most recently between 2021 & 2023, Protos Consulting developed an extensive Concept Design for a 100% Green LH2 Export Project and Domestic Australian H2 Hub development, together with Australian & Korean partners. The core technology making the LH2 export / import barge terminals and “All-Seaborne Solution” possible, is an innovative and ground-breaking Korean cargo containment system that provides for commercially-viable Large-scale LH2 storage and shipping.

Export Barge with Green LH2 produced on the Topsides with Green LH2 product stored in the Hull

The “whole supply chain” project to “prove up” the key technologies for Large-scale LH2 shipping is in the development phase based in Darwin Northern Territory (NT) at Channel Island, close to the Middle Arm industrial development precinct. The final configuration for the “commercial-demonstration” Darwin Project, developed by Protos Consulting & partners, is for an export barge of about 200-250m in length, with 120 tonnes/day of LH2 production on the topsides and storage of LH2 in the hull. The project includes a Large-scale 50,000m3 LH2 tanker to deliver 42,000 tonnes/year of Green LH2 to Korea and Japan by 2030. 

The Darwin Project proponents are also developing the international Joint Development Project (JDP) membership that will involve equity investors, offtakers, engineering firms, shipyards and technology vendors, to successfully complete the Large-scale shipping project Green LH2 supply chain. The Darwin Project is supported by the NT, Japanese and Korean Governments, with key equipment vendors from Japan to join the JDP. Support from the Australian Commonwealth Government and agencies is expected in due course.

NEWS FLASH (June 2024):  LH2 Energy Pty Ltd, which is the implementation company set-up in 2020 to develop and deliver the ‘commercial-demonstration’ Darwin Project, has been restructured with a new Board. The JDP development for the ‘whole supply chain’ Basic Design/FEED is to be completed in 2025 with Detailed Design & Costings to then follow with Financial Close anticipated by the end of 2027.

With construction of the barge terminals and LH2 tanker at modern Chinese shipyards, the Darwin Project aims to deliver the world’s 1st Large-scale LH2 tanker and a safe & efficient intercontinental LH2 supply chain between Australia and Japan by 2030.

A successful outcome of the Darwin Project “All-Seaborne Solution” for exporting Australian Renewable H2 as Green LH2, will be applicable to other Green H2 export projects planned around Australia today, helping to make Australia a future Renewable Energy Superpower. 

NEWS FLASH (May 2024): Costa Tsesmelis & Ray Swanepoel’s Fischer-Tropsch breakthroughs for Australian Clean H2 production and Biodegradable GTL, recognised by international experts, has been further developed with an implementation that includes Autothermal Reforming for H2 production.  The innovation patent is for a world-scale Clean LH2 production & export project, which includes the integration of Green Power electrolysis with Fischer Tropsch processing, carbon capture & storage, H2 liquefaction, storage & shipping. 

The patented H2 production process is made particularly profitable when low cost Lignite is used and nearby sub-sea CO2 storage sites are available. Profitability is assured with high value co-production of Biodegradable GTL to replace Petroleum Diesel for use in sensitive Australian marine environments, and low cost domestic production of rocket propellant RP1 / RP2 for Australia’s Defence industries and emerging Space Industry.   

Qualifications and Professional Affiliations

Costa was awarded a Bachelor’s (Honours) degree in Chemical Engineering and Fuel Technology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies at Sheffield University in the UK. He is a life-long supporter of Sheffield United and a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng).