An international partnership has created a global network to drive research and technical innovation for a hydrogen economy that will boost the transition to clean energy.
The University of Western Australia, the University of Koblenz and the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences in Germany have established an international and interdisciplinary research partnership, the Hydroexchange project.
The project aims to conduct a comparative study of integrated hydrogen systems on an industrial scale in Germany and Australia to provide scientific support for the associated socio-economic transformation processes in the regions.
It will combine engineering and chemical approaches for the development of efficient hydrogen technologies with academic analyses of stakeholder structures, regional networks and global supply chains.
As part of the project Professor Kirsten Martinus, from UWA's School of Social Sciences, and Dr Daniel Schepis, from UWA's Business School, travelled to Germany for field studies and interviews in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
The visit concluded with a joint workshop at the University of Koblenz, where the results were presented including a media analysis of the general public's perception of green hydrogen, the identification of innovation niches and an analysis of the role of universities as 'change agents' in the hydrogen transition.
"This project is strengthening international research partnerships to enable the scientific co-creation of a sustainable, climate-neutral future," Professor Martinus said.
Earlier this year, four researchers from Koblenz travelled to UWA as part of the project to conduct field studies and expand their networks.
Project coordinator Dr Miriam Voigt, from the University of Koblenz, said hydrogen research thrived on international exchange and this project had created the ideal conditions to do this.
In addition to scientific collaboration, the project is also strengthening long-term institutional relationships through mobility programs, joint workshops and networking among young scientists.
To deepen long-term cooperation, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the University of Koblenz and UWA that aims to further strengthen joint research and scientific exchange.
