The CSIRO has launched the Hydrogen Knowledge Centre to foster collaboration between the growing Australian hydrogen industry, government and research and development (R&D) ecosystems, by providing regularly updated information on policies, projects, research and resources.
CSIRO CEO, Dr Larry Marshall said Australia is well placed to use hydrogen to create billions of dollars of GDP growth through long-lasting jobs, exports and domestic use, while helping drive down emissions.
“CSIRO began research into hydrogen fuel to help catalyse a new industry in Australia that would fill the economic gap being created by the transition away from fossil fuels. Australia is now realising the potential for hydrogen to reduce its emissions and create new economic wealth, thanks to early investment in research,” Marshall said.
“With a strong coalition of partners from government, research and industry, we launched our Hydrogen Industry Mission last year.
“We’re seeing the hydrogen industry in Australia go from strength to strength. Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could generate significant economic growth while helping drive down emissions.”
Marshall said the Hydrogen Knowledge Centre will be a central point of critical information for hydrogen R&D in Australia.
Across the Hydrogen Knowledge Centre, users can access a broad range of information, from interactive modelling tools forecasting the future cost of hydrogen, based on technology deployment and energy use, through to educational resources explaining the basics of hydrogen and its use in the energy mix.
A new industry map, which is also part of the knowledge centre, will highlight all of the current projects across Australia, and allow users to filter searches by project proponents, end-use and development status.
The Knowledge Centre will also feature resources developed by our partners and collaborators in the Australian hydrogen industry.
CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission spokesperson, Dr Vicky Au, said the new map showed 85 current hydrogen projects being driven by industry across Australia.
“As the clean hydrogen industry continues to develop and evolve, it is our hope that the Hydrogen Knowledge Centre can continue to be a relevant and valuable resource in Australia and internationally,” she said.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, the online knowledge centre will be significant in putting hydrogen at the forefront of renewable energy sources, bringing industries, universities and policymakers together.
“According to Australian government estimates, Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050,” he said.