International engagement program to boost hydrogen capabilities

A $5 million program to be led by CSIRO will strengthen development of Australia’s hydrogen industry by supporting research, development and demonstration (RD&D) collaborations with international research organisations, according to the organisation.

The two-year Hydrogen RD&D International Collaboration Program is a key milestone in CSIRO’s recently launched Hydrogen Industry Mission.

The mission brings together partners from government, industry and research with the aim of driving Australia’s hydrogen production price down to $2/kg, a price at which hydrogen will become competitive with higher emissions alternatives.

The engagement program will support collaboration between Australia’s research institutions and leading international research organisations for the benefit of the domestic hydrogen RD&D community, as well as enabling RD&D linkages with partner countries.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said CSIRO’s missions-led approach encourages collaboration in seizing the new industry opportunities presented by hydrogen.

“Our Hydrogen Industry Mission recognises that, as the global investment in clean energy ramps up, we need to be on the front foot and leverage international collaboration in hydrogen RD&D to give Australia the best advantage we can to capture this market opportunity,” he said.

The program will seek to:

• increase collaboration within Australia between industry and the research community to realise transformative clean hydrogen industry solutions;
• build and strengthen national and international research and industry partnerships to support efforts to build clean hydrogen export pathways;
• advance low-emissions technology development within Australia in order to add value and reduce costs in all stages of the hydrogen value chain;
• develop capability and solutions to respond to domestic and global clean hydrogen industry opportunities.
   

Hydrogen Industry Mission leader Dr Patrick Hartley said clean hydrogen is currently enjoying unprecedented momentum from business, research and political corners.

“CSIRO is well positioned to benefit from this emerging global and national opportunity to enable our transition to net zero emissions,” he said.

The Hydrogen RD&D International Collaboration Program is funded by the Australian Government, and follows partnerships signed with Germany, Singapore and Japan to accelerate the development of low-emissions technologies, including hydrogen, that will drive investment and job creation in Australia.

Image: CSIRO’s membrane can separate hydrogen from ammonia.