CISRO and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station, purpose-built for enabling hydrogen research.
The $2.5 million refuelling station uses green hydrogen produced with electricity from renewable sources that allows hydrogen cars to travel over 600km emissions-free on a full tank.
Located at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria, the station showcases the real-world application of hydrogen and will be used to demonstrate hydrogen’s utility for transport.
It will also be used to test emerging hydrogen technology and train the next generation on the use of hydrogen stations to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive.
CISRO chief executive Doug Hilton said hydrogen will play an important role in Australia’s energy transition and the decarbonisation of the road transport sector.
“This is innovative, inventive, inspired technology that builds the sovereign capabilities Australia needs to transition to net zero,” Hilton said.
Professor Karen Hapgood, deputy vice-chancellor research, Swinburne University of Technology said the station, co-funded by VH2 and the Victorian Government’s Higher Education State Investment Fund, represented a unique opportunity.
“The launch of the hydrogen station brings Australia another step closer to creating a carbon neutral world by 2050 or earlier,” Hapgood said.
“As a university with sustainability in our DNA, we are proud to be playing an important role in driving the implementation of the hydrogen economy in Australia, through our Victorian Hydrogen Hub and collaboration with CSIRO.”
There are currently two makes of hydrogen car available in Australia – the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo – with 12 hydrogen refuelling stations either operating or under construction in Australia.