CSIRO helps new hydrogen technology to get to market

The Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility (HTDF), located in the CSIRO Clayton campus in Victoria, provides the infrastructure for hydrogen technologies to be safely tested and demonstrated by innovators in industry and research.

The facility provides renewable electricity in various phases, large supplies of deionised water, instruments and safety devices, and practical technical support for demonstration projects. Researchers use the facility in everything from hydrogen production to storage and utilisation.

Hadean Energy is using the HTDF to develop its tubular solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) technology, which can produce green hydrogen using up to 30% less electricity than conventional electrolysers.

According to Hadean Energy, SOE is the most efficient method of electrolysis when integrated with waste industrial heat. SOE converts industrial steam into hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical reaction, using a ceramic electrolyte. It can utilise industrial waste heat to increase the efficiency of the cell, making SOE up to 30% more energy efficient than PEM and alkaline technologies. Hadean’s tubular solid oxide cell structure also reduces cost and reduces system complexity.

The technology can also be used to efficiently produce syngas for e-fuels. Its simple tubular design and proprietary catalyst promises lower manufacturing and maintenance costs. The long-term durability and performance of Hadean Energy’s electrolyser module is being tested over several months at the HTDF.

Chris Rowland, CEO of Hadean Energy, has been monitoring the progress.

“Testing at the Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility has proceeded smoothly, with great support from the CSIRO staff,” he said. “Successful completion of our trial will help us progress to commercial-scale electrolyser production, and make a vital contribution to decarbonising hard-to-abate industries. We are midway through the trial and the results have exceeded our expectations.”

Karen Kozielski is the deputy leader of the Hydrogen Industry Mission, and helps innovators to understand how they can use the HTDF.

“The facility is particularly useful for researchers moving their technology from benchtop scale to pilot and commercially relevant scale, when safety is obviously very important,” she said. “Our robust safety systems, including risk assessments, mean that we can help researchers to be assured their technology will be demonstrated within CSIRO’s strict protocols. The HTDF also gives innovators a secure and trusted place to show people their technology in action,” she said.

CSIRO’s Kick-Start program has helped Hadean Energy bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercialisation, so that it was able to advance to the trial stage.

The Kick-Start program provides matched funding and expert support to help startups and SMEs like Hadean Energy access critical research facilities, develop prototypes, and fast-track innovation.

Image caption: Chris Rowland and Karen Kozielski with the trial rig in the Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility.