Sparc chooses site for photocatalytic hydrogen production

Technology development company Sparc Hydrogen has chosen a site for a proposed pilot plant to prove its photocatalytic process to produce green hydrogen from water.

Following the completion of tests at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW (pictured), Sparc Hydrogen has chosen a site close to Adelaide with consultants set to complete a pre-FEED study for a pilot scale plant by the end of 2023.

Sparc’s process produces green hydrogen through the use of a thermo-photocatalyst and concentrated solar radiation, avoiding more traditional and costly electrolysis.

Sparc Hydrogen is a joint venture with Sparc Technologies, Flinders and Adelaide universities and Fortescue Future Industries, the technology has the potential to create significant energy efficiencies with low capital and operating expenditure.

Sparc Technologies Executive Chair Stephen Hunt told investors that the first phase of on-sun testing of its water splitting reactor had been completed.

Key objectives were achieved including the advancement of the technology readiness level (TRL) from 4 to 5, and a number of design improvements for the reactor identified.

Hunt said: “The data and learnings from the repeated on-sun trials are invaluable and will improve reactor design as we continue to scale the technology towards a pilot plant.

“Completion of this test work is a significant milestone, not only for Sparc Hydrogen, but more widely for the advancement of photocatalytic water splitting.”

The project is supported by funding under Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grant programme and the CSIRO Kick-Start Program.

Further reading:
Sparc receives grant as green hydrogen tests show promise

Picture: CSIRO Energy Centre, Newcastle