The CSIRO and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have unveiled a $2.5 million renewable hydrogen refuelling station purpose-built to enable hydrogen research.
The station at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria showcases hydrogen’s practical applications in transport. It will be used to test emerging technology, ensuring Australia remains competitive in the global hydrogen market.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Doug Hilton stated that hydrogen will be essential in Australia’s energy transition and decarbonising the road transport industry.
“The technology is an exciting piece in the puzzle in Australia’s renewable energy future and will deliver long-term community and environmental benefits, boost the economy and create new jobs and opportunities for Australia and Australians.”
Professor Karen Hapgood at Swinburne University of Technology highlighted the unique opportunity of a station, which is co-funded by VH2 and the Victorian Government‘s Higher Education State Investment Fund.
“The launch of the hydrogen station brings Australia another step closer to creating a carbon neutral world by 2050 or earlier, Professor Hapgood said.
“Hydrogen plays a key part in our transition to clean energy, and demonstration projects such as these help to test technical, regulatory and economic aspects of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and support the urgent training and workforce development for this expanding hydrogen energy ecosystem.”
According to the CSIRO, the renewable hydrogen refuelling station can produce 20kg of green hydrogen daily through electrolysis and has an 80kg storage capacity, sufficient for over 10 cars.
The station is a key component of CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission, which aims to help national and global decarbonisation by conducting cutting-edge research and developing a commercially viable Australian hydrogen industry with both domestic and export chains.
Victorian Hydrogen Hub Director Gordon Chakaodza stated that the collaboration with CSIRO is a critical component of the hub’s objective to advance Australia’s hydrogen economy.
“We are using state-of-the-art facilities to demonstrate to industry and the community the capabilities of fuel cell electric vehicles. This will cement Victoria as a key player in accelerating the deployment of hydrogen cars in Australia,” Chakaodza said.
