Swinburne University’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station purpose-built for enabling hydrogen research.
The $2.5 million refuelling station uses green hydrogen produced with electricity from renewable sources that allow hydrogen cars to travel more than 600km emissions-free on a full tank.
The site will be located at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria’s south-east and will showcase the real-world application of hydrogen stations to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive.
Co-funded by VH2 and the Victorian government’s Higher Education State Investment Fund, Swinburne research deputy vice-chancellor professor Karen Hapgood says the station represents a unique opportunity.
“The launch of the hydrogen station brings Australia another step closer to creating a carbon neutral world by 2050 or earlier,” Hapgood says.
“As a university with sustainability in our DNA, we are proud to be playing an important role in driving the implementation of the hydrogen economy in Australia through our Victorian Hydrogen Hub and collaboration with CSIRO.
“Hydrogen plays a key part in our transition to clean energy. 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.”
CSIRO CEO Dr Doug Hilton says hydrogen will play a significant role in Australia’s energy transition and the decarbonisation of the nation’s road transport sector.
“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,” Hilton says.
“This is innovative, inventive and inspired technology that builds the sovereign capabilities Australia needs to transition to net zero.”
Swinburne says the refuelling station can generate up to 20kg of green hydrogen daily via electrolysis and has a storage capacity that’s enough for more than 10 cars.
The station is a significant component of CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission. The mission aims to support national and global decarbonisation through leading research and the development of a commercially viable Australian hydrogen industry comprising both domestic and export chains.
“Hydrogen is increasingly being recognised as the fuel of the future, and for good reason,” Hilton says.
“Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe and, when used to power fuel cell electric vehicles, the only exhaust product is water vapour.”
Victoria Hydrogen Hub director Gordon Chakaodza says the collaboration with CSIRO is a key pillar in the hub’s mission to further Australia’s hydrogen economy.
“We are using state-of-the-art facilities to demonstrate to the industry and the community the capabilities of fuel cell electric vehicles,” Chakaodza says.
“This will cement Victoria as a key player in accelerating the deployment of hydrogen cars in Australia.”