The news: CSIRO and RFC Ambrian founded electrolyser company Hadean Energy has secured a $15 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to trial green hydrogen technology to help decarbonise steel manufacturing processes.
The context: The funding will support a $30 million project in which Hadean will build and operate a pilot hydrogen plant at industrial gases business BOC’s Hastings site in Victoria.
The technology could produce green hydrogen using 30% less electricity than conventional electrolysers.
What they said: “This pilot will demonstrate how Hadean’s technology performs in a real-world industrial environment and provide the evidence needed to assess its commercial potential,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.
“This could open the door to broader use of green hydrogen in steelmaking and other industrial applications, while helping build Australia’s hydrogen industrial capability.”
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said: “Renewable hydrogen has an important role in cutting industrial emissions, particularly where using electricity directly is difficult. Bringing down the cost of producing it is critical.”
The sources: ARENA media release, Chris Bowen media release
