CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, has welcomed Victorian government funding that will enable it to partner with Swinburne University of Technology to establish the Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2).
VH2 is designed to bring researchers, industry partners and businesses together to test, trial and demonstrate new and emerging hydrogen technologies.
Under the partnership, CSIRO will receive more than $1 million towards the development of a refuelling station to fuel and test hydrogen vehicles.
The refuelling station, to be located at CSIRO's Clayton campus in Victoria, is a key milestone in the development of CSIRO's national Hydrogen Industry Mission, which aims to support Australia's clean hydrogen industry - estimated to create more than 8000 jobs, generate $11 billion a year in GDP and support a low emissions future.
"As Australia considers energy alternatives, we know hydrogen is clean and will be cost-competitive - but a major barrier to it becoming a fuel source for cars and trucks is how to refuel, and the lack of refuelling infrastructure," CSIRO Executive Director, Growth, Nigel Warren said.
"The refueller is a significant step towards removing that barrier."
Construction will take place as part of the development of VH2 - a new hydrogen production and storage demonstration facility, where CSIRO, Swinburne and their partners will test 'real world' uses for hydrogen technology.
"We thank the Victorian government for supporting VH2 which, combined with the refueller, will allow us to test emerging hydrogen technologies," Mr Warren added.
Swinburne University of Technology's Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester said the University was excited by the development.
"We are grateful for the Victorian Government for their support," Professor Quester said.
"The Victorian Hydrogen Hub will be another demonstration of how we can bring people and technology together to create a better world.
"Swinburne's strong partnership with CSIRO means that we will be able to build on our focus of digitalisation and Industry 4.0, and support industry to enhance its understanding of what hydrogen can deliver."
The refueller project will demonstrate a fleet trial for CSIRO hydrogen vehicles with the potential for expansion, providing refuelling opportunities to other zero emission Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in the local area.
"We are proud to be investing in this forward-looking initiative, the kind that will help build a smarter Victoria and help respond to climate change," Victorian Minister for Higher Education, Gayle Tierney said.
CSIRO is engaging with vehicle companies such as Toyota Australia to support the future adoption and supply of FCEVs in Australia.
"Toyota Australia is delighted to support the development of this new hydrogen refuelling station in Victoria with next-generation Mirai FCEVs," Toyota Australia's Manager of Future Technologies, Matt MacLeod said.
"This is a significant step towards having the necessary refuelling infrastructure to help grow hydrogen opportunities in Australia.
"We look forward working closely with CSIRO and their partners on this exciting project."
About the emerging Hydrogen Industry Mission
CSIRO announced a program of national missions in August 2020, aimed at solving some of Australia's greatest challenges.
Missions are currently being developed.
The Hydrogen Industry Mission aims to help Australia work out how to scale up domestic hydrogen supply and demand for a low emissions future, and support our hydrogen energy export industry.
The mission builds on CSIRO's National Hydrogen Roadmap which shared the opportunities for Australia's clean hydrogen industry.
CSIRO is currently engaging with and inviting advisory, funding, R&D and translation partners to work collaboratively on initiatives.
