Honour for green hydrogen leader Professor Gerry Swiegers

University of Wollongong (UOW) electrochemist Senior Professor Gerhard Swiegers has been named a 2023 Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Laureate Fellow and awarded a grant of $3.7 million to further his research.

The funding is for a project to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry by advancing the manufacture of high-efficiency water electrolysers that enable the cost-effective production of green hydrogen, an energy-dense renewable fuel.

The project will build on the breakthrough electrolyser technology developed by Professor Swiegers and his team (pictured), which has put low-cost, green hydrogen within reach.

The technology forms the basis for hydrogen start up Hysata formed as a spin-off company with investment from venture capital firm IP Group and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

As well as accelerating the decarbonisation of high-carbon industries such as heavy transport, chemical production and steel manufacture, the project will help Australia achieve its net-zero emissions commitments and contribute to developing a national green hydrogen industry.

Professor Swiegers said: “This project will support the development of a sovereign Australian hydrogen manufacturing capacity with accompanying decarbonisation and employment benefits.

“It is estimated that green hydrogen will provide 15 to 20 per cent of global energy demand in 2050, worth $2.5 trillion. We believe this new technology can help Australia capture a large share of that market.”

The novel technology was developed at UOW’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.

Professor Swiegers said: “Green hydrogen will be essential for us to achieve net zero.

“The National Hydrogen Strategy aims to leverage Australia’s abundance in solar and wind power to generate renewable electricity and then convert this to green hydrogen.

“Our electrolyser, being commercialised by Hysata, has ultra-high energy efficiency, consuming about 20 per cent less energy with accompanying higher yields of green hydrogen from renewable sources.

“This will reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen to well below $2 a kilogram, making it cost-competitive with fossil fuels.”

The ARC Industry Fellowship Program aims to create a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, introducing an increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures) Professor David Currow congratulated Professor Swiegers on his success.

Professor Currow said: “These high-efficiency electrolysers, now being commercialised by Hysata, have the potential to significantly shift the economics of green hydrogen production.”

Further reading:
ELECTROLYSER MANUFACTURER HYSATA CLOSES $42.5 MILLION SERIES A ROUND

Picture: Professor Gerry Swiegers (seated at right) with the team from Hysata