Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation launched a new research mission to drive down the cost of hydrogen production to under $2 per kilogram and position Australia to lead the world in exporting hydrogen by 2030. Under the Mission, more than 100 projects worth $68 million have been proposed over the next five years. Activities will be coordinated by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Fortescue Metals Group, Swinburne University, the Victorian Government, the Future Fuels CRC, National Energy Resources Australia, and the Australian Hydrogen Council, along with collaborators Toyota and Hyundai. The goal of this Mission is to support the vision of a clean and competitive hydrogen industry for Australia by delivering research, development, and demonstration partnerships that help make Australia’s hydrogen markets a reality.
The mission will focus on delivering four key programs of work, some of which are already underway. Firstly, a Hydrogen Knowledge Centre is to be set up to capture and promote hydrogen projects and industry developments across Australia. The first module, HyResource, was launched in September with NERA, the Future Fuels CRC, and The Australian Hydrogen Council. Further, feasibility and strategy studies to building on recent hydrogen cost modelling and barrier analysis provided as part of developing the National Hydrogen Strategy will be carried out. Going forward, the mission will also foster demonstration projects that validate hydrogen value chains and de-risk enabling technologies. Development is underway at a new facility in Clayton, Victoria, with Swinburne University and the Victorian Government.
Earlier this month, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency allocated $103 million to three green hydrogen pilot projects in a bid to kickstart the industry. Of the three projects, two are located in Western Australia and are currently being developed by Engie Renewables Australia and ATCO Australia. The third project, located in Victoria, is being developed by the Australian Gas Networks Limited.