Sparc Hydrogen has secured a further A$1.3 million in funding from its three shareholders to advance the development and testing of its green hydrogen production technology in South Australia.
Sparc Technologies, Fortescue and Adelaide University have committed the additional equity funding on a pro-rata basis, according to an ASX announcement from Sparc Technologies.
Sparc Technologies will contribute approximately A$468,000 while retaining its 36 per cent shareholding in the joint venture.
The funding follows the initial operation of Sparc Hydrogen’s SHARP pilot facility and progress in laboratory testing under its collaboration with US-based SunHydrogen.
Sparc Technologies said the funding would support technology scale-up, further collaboration and commercial development, as well as an expanded strategy for sourcing materials intended to improve hydrogen production efficiency and economics.
Phase 1 testing of SunHydrogen’s water-splitting modules has been completed, with the company reporting solar-to-hydrogen efficiency above 10 per cent in laboratory conditions. Phase 2 will focus on optimising the integration of the technologies ahead of planned outdoor testing at the SHARP pilot facility in early 2027.
The company said the expanded materials strategy would also assess photoelectrochemical cells and integrated photovoltaic-electrolysis systems, alongside photocatalysts, as potential approaches to direct solar water splitting.
Sparc Technologies managing director Nick O’Loughlin said the investment reflected the shareholders’ continued support for the project.
“Over the past four and a half years, Sparc Hydrogen has progressed from laboratory research to operating a first-of-its-kind pilot facility,” O’Loughlin said.
He said the facility had provided a platform for collaboration with industry participants, including SunHydrogen, to develop high-efficiency water-splitting systems.
Sparc Hydrogen is a joint venture between Sparc Technologies, Fortescue and Adelaide University. Its technology uses photocatalytic water splitting, which uses sunlight, water and a photocatalyst to produce hydrogen without an electrolyser.
The company said its reactor uses concentrated sunlight and is designed as a modular system. However, the technology remains under development, with further testing planned to assess its performance and potential production economics.
The content of this article is based on information supplied by Sparc Technologies Limited. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from Sparc. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
