- WA company Carbon280 offers prospect of safe, scalable method of hydrogen transportation at atmospheric temperature and pressure
- Homegrown innovation has the potential to have significant impact on industry
- A safe, pumpable liquid used to transport hydrogen
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has officially opened a pilot plant offering the prospect of a safe and scalable way to transport hydrogen.
The Hydrilyte Technology Pilot Plant is operated by Western Australian company Carbon280.
Its patented Hydrilyte Technology uses a metal hydride suspended in a light mineral oil with a process that locks the hydrogen in a solid state within the liquid.
The Hydrilyte and the hydrogen can be stored indefinitely without loss, with the process being reversed to unlock the hydrogen.
As a safe, pumpable liquid, the hydrogen-containing Hydrilyte can be stored and transported using existing liquid fuels infrastructure, including pipelines, tankers and ships.
Hydrilyte has the potential to lower costs and increase safety for a wide range of hydrogen users, including the manufacture of green iron and steel, which is of strategic importance to WA.
Hydrilyte's ability to separate hydrogen from helium and store the hydrogen ready for transport also gives it the potential to advance natural hydrogen projects in Australia and globally.
More broadly, the technology has the potential to deliver a hydrogen transportation method that costs less, and is inherently safe and energy efficient but scalable.
Investors in the pilot plant include Woodside Energy and Hive Energy, a UK-headquartered renewable energy, green hydrogen and green ammonia developer.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Congratulations to Carbon280 on this groundbreaking project.
"This Made in WA success story is a timely demonstration of how homegrown innovation and engineering excellence can contribute to the local and global energy transition.
"It also supports advanced manufacturing, economic diversification and the creation of skilled jobs here in Western Australia.
"With its focus on improving the cost competitiveness of the hydrogen supply chain, Carbon280's technology has the potential to have a significant impact on the hydrogen industry in Australia and across the globe."
