The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced a $20.9 million grant to Wollongong-based startup Hysata to commercialise its next-generation hydrogen electrolyser technology at the startup’s new manufacturing facility in Port Kembla.
In a press release, the agency said Hysata will design and test a 5 MW unit at the new site. Before being transferred to Queensland, the electrolyser array will be deployed in situ for additional testing and validation.
Stanwell Corporation, a Queensland government-owned power business, is investing $3 million in the project and providing the site and infrastructure for the electrolyser’s field deployment.
The demonstration unit will be located close to the Stanwell Power Station in Rockhampton. The site offers space for a grid connection as well as suitable land and water.
The project, according to ARENA CEO Darren Miller, is crucial for authorising purchase orders for the technology.
“Hysata is a great example of Australian innovation leading the way in renewable energy. This electrolyser technology could be a game-changer for renewable hydrogen,” Miller said.
He added, “The demonstration at Stanwell’s site will be key to unlocking commercial demand for Hysata’s product by proving the technology works at scale.”
Meanwhile, Hysata CEO Paul Barrett stated this is a critical turning point in the company’s efforts to quickly expand the ground-breaking technology that will help the world move closer to net zero emissions, saying, “Hysata is proud to be partnering with ARENA and Stanwell to enter our next phase of commercialisation.”
“Green hydrogen is critical for decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors, and we are committed to helping our customers deliver the world’s lowest cost green hydrogen,” Barrett noted.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke stated that the company’s support for Hysata’s technology commercialisation was a significant step towards Stanwell’s goal of fostering the development of Queensland’s renewable hydrogen industry.
“We are excited to support Hysata by facilitating the commercialisation of this innovative Australian-made technology through a field pilot,” O’Rourke said.
Hysata has previously received $8.98 million from ARENA as part of the German-Australian HyGATE program, with an extra EUR 5.9 million (AUD 9.97 million) from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the German government.
Currently, the startup is developing a 200 kW electrolyser system with the aid of the HyGATE funding that will showcase the essential elements of the 5 MW commercial scale demonstration unit.
Spun out of ARENA-funded research at the University of Wollongong, Hysata was established to commercialise this pioneering electrolysis technology.
