Carbon280 launches Kwinana pilot plant following $10.6 million seed round

Hydrogen storage startup Carbon280 launched its Hydrilyte Technology Pilot Plant in Kwinana, Western Australia, which aims to prove its technology at an industrially-relevant scale.

According to a statement from the company on Monday, the pilot is a 100 kilowatt prototype at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The pilot and a lab onsite are funded via a $10.6 million seed investment led by Woodside Energy, as well as a forecast $5.5 million in federal R&D rebates.

The pilot aims to prove Hydrilyte “at an industrially relevant scale, delivering critical performance data for partners and investors”. Hydralite is described as able to separate hydrogen from helium and allow hydrogen to be stored safely, at ambient temperature and pressure.

The company’s website mentions use of metal hydrides, “which chemically bond with and absorb hydrogen, physically separating it from impurities in a gas stream” and a product called Hydralite HD enabling two tonnes of hydrogen “to be transported in a 40’ half height container.” Carbon280 says this is double what a Type IV composite tank can can carry at 700 bar pressure.

Mark Rheinlander, Founder & CEO of Carbon280, said in a statement: “Rather than transporting a highly flammable gas you are storing and transporting a safe, low-cost liquid that stores hydrogen under ambient conditions. 

“Low-cost and ease of handling will simplify and speed the implementation of hydrogen projects globally, enabling hydrogen use in applications and geographies with less sophisticated infrastructure.” 

According to its website, Carbon280 expects to have data from the pilot plant to share with partners and investors by October 2025.

Picture: supplied

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