Homegrown startup Hysata is getting a cash injection to scale up pioneering hydrogen technology that could slash Australia’s industrial carbon footprint.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Monday announced $20.9 million for Hysata to develop and test a unit at a new manufacturing facility in the steelmaking heartland at Port Kembla in New South Wales.
The demonstration unit will then be installed in Queensland next to the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton, backed by $3 million (US$1.9 million) from state-owned power company Stanwell Corporation.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said the project would reduce costs for renewable hydrogen and ensure Australia’s heavy industries remain competitive.
“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 said.
Hysata CEO Paul Barrett said the “exceptional efficiency” of Hysata’s electrolyser would transform the economics of green hydrogen production.
Spun out of a University of Wollongong lab, Hysata was established to commercialise the technology that has been proven to use less electricity and require less cooling while producing green 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 said.
Stanwell CEO Michael O'Rourke said backing the commercialisation of the technology through a field pilot was another important step in the development of Queensland’s renewable hydrogen industry.
“The development of a renewable hydrogen industry is a key component of our energy transformation,” he said.
“The potential to utilise high-efficiency Australian technology in large-scale hydrogen projects would be a real advantage.”
Initial development of the system is currently underway, with the field pilot at Stanwell due to commence in 2025.
Australia faces stiff competition from heavily subsidised rivals in the United States and elsewhere in the race to produce the alternative fuel.
But strengthening Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities through this project could pave the way for Hysata to create a secure local pipeline for heavy industry and export to other carbon-constrained economies.
Mr. Bowen said the regions can and should have a piece of the action in supplying renewable hydrogen technology to heavy industry at home and abroad.
Hysata has already attracted venture capital from steel company BlueScope, superannuation fund Hostplus and the German government.
