Homegrown startup Hysata is getting a money injection to scale up pioneering hydrogen expertise that might slash Australia’s industrial carbon footprint.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Monday introduced $20.9 million for Hysata to develop and check a unit at a brand new manufacturing facility in steelmaking heartland at Port Kembla in NSW.
The demonstration unit will then be put in in Queensland subsequent to the Stanwell Power Station close to Rockhampton, backed by $3 million from state-owned energy firm Stanwell Corporation.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen mentioned the mission would cut back prices for renewable hydrogen and guarantee Australia’s heavy industries stay aggressive.
“The cutting-edge project will demonstrate the effectiveness of Hysata’s electrolyser technology at a scale of five megawatts with an aim of a 20 per cent increase in efficiency compared to current electrolysers in use today,” Mr Bowen mentioned.
Hysata CEO Paul Barrett mentioned the “exceptional efficiency” of Hysata’s electrolyser would rework the economics of inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing.
Spun out of a University of Wollongong lab, Hysata was established to commercialise the expertise that has been confirmed to make use of much less electrical energy and require much less cooling whereas producing inexperienced hydrogen.
“The demonstration at Stanwell’s site will be key to unlocking commercial demand for Hysata’s product by proving the technology works at scale,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller mentioned.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke mentioned backing the commercialisation of the expertise via a area pilot was one other essential step within the improvement of Queensland’s renewable hydrogen business.
“The development of a renewable hydrogen industry is a key component of our energy transformation,” he mentioned.
“The potential to utilise high-efficiency Australian technology in large-scale hydrogen projects would be a real advantage.”
Initial improvement of the system is at the moment beneath approach, with the sphere pilot at Stanwell on account of begin in 2025.
Australia faces stiff competitors from closely subsidised rivals within the United States and elsewhere within the race to supply the choice gasoline.
But strengthening Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities via this mission might pave the best way for Hysata to create a safe native pipeline for heavy business and export to different carbon-constrained economies.
Mr Bowen mentioned the areas can and will have a bit of the motion in supplying renewable hydrogen expertise to heavy business at dwelling and overseas.
Hysata has already attracted enterprise capital from metal firm BlueScope, superannuation fund Hostplus and the German authorities.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au