The Australian government will provide A$15 million to Hadean Energy to build a renewable hydrogen pilot plant in Victoria. The A$30 million project aims to lower hydrogen production costs and reduce emissions from steelmaking.
The plant will be built at a production site in Western Port. Hydrogen produced there will be tested at a neighboring steelmaking facility to assess its potential to cut emissions.
The project will use solid oxide electrolysis technology developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). According to the government, it could reduce electricity use in hydrogen production by up to 30% compared with conventional electrolyzers. The technology uses heat from industrial processes to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, reducing the electricity required.
The pilot will test the system under industrial operating conditions and assess its potential for commercial use. The technology could also be used in iron and alumina production and heavy transport. Funding will be provided through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
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