The Australian federal and Queensland state governments are to invest more than $23m in a renewable hydrogen project in the Illawarra and Rockhampton regions of the country.
$20.9m will be provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to support Wollongong-based Hysata in developing an advanced electrolyser that can produce renewable hydrogen more efficiently.
The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Hysata’s electrolyser technology at a scale of 5MW with an aim of a 20% increase in efficiency compared to current electrolysers.
The demonstration unit will be installed at Stanwell Power Station outside of Rockhampton, Queensland, after development at Hysata’s facility in Port Kembla, New South Wales.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen made the announcement at the opening of Hysata’s new electrolyser manufacturing facility in Port Kembla.
Hysata has previously received funding as part of the German-Australian Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator Initiative for a pilot stage 200kW electrolyser.
Queensland Hydrogen Champion and Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the region was serious about using local people and experience to lead the development of the global hydrogen industry.
“Queensland’s green hydrogen industry is the next frontier in a world hungry for clean energy and is our greatest climate, jobs, and economic opportunity in a generation,” said O’Rourke.