The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Science
The Albanese Labor Government is backing an Australian technology that could produce renewable hydrogen using up to 30 per cent less electricity than conventional electrolysers, helping cut costs and emissions in heavy industry.
With a $15 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), clean tech company Hadean Energy will build and run a pilot green hydrogen plant using homegrown technology at BOC's Western Port Production Site in Victoria.
The hydrogen produced will be used at a neighbouring steelmaking facility to test its potential to reduce emissions from steelmaking.
Hadean's $30 million pilot project will demonstrate the technology in an industrial setting and help move it towards commercial use, while building local skills and supply chains.
The solid oxide electrolysis technology, developed by the CSIRO, efficiently splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. By using waste heat from industrial processes, it can reduce the amount of electricity needed to produce hydrogen.
Renewable hydrogen can help cut emissions in several industries like fertiliser manufacturing, alumina and iron production, as well as in heavy transport.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:
"Hadean Energy's Western Port pilot is an exciting project that could help bring down costs for renewable hydrogen in metal processing and other sectors.
"Renewable hydrogen has an important role in cutting industrial emissions, particularly where using electricity directly is difficult. Bringing down the cost of producing it is critical.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres:
"This project is a great example of what Australia can achieve when our world-class scientists and innovative businesses work together.
"Projects like this are at the heart of our Future Made in Australia agenda: rebuilding Australia's industrial capability, growing more Australian firms, and turning Australian innovation into real businesses and good jobs."
