Swinburne and CSIRO to set up Victorian Hydrogen Hub

The Victorian Government has backed Swinburne University of Technology and CSIRO to build a Victorian Hydrogen Hub to bring researchers, industry partners and businesses together to test, trial and demonstrate new hydrogen technologies

Backed by a $10 million injection from the state, the hub will support sustainable manufacturing practices, as well as the ability to store clean energy from renewable sources.

Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester said the hub would include a demonstration hydrogen refuelling station with hydrogen production and storage facilities.

Quester said: “Swinburne’s strong partnership with CSIRO means that we will be able to build on our focus of digitalisation and Industry 4.0, and support industry to enhance understanding of what hydrogen can deliver.”

Swinburne has also partnered with Germany’s ARENA 2036 research facility at the University of Stuttgart, to engage the global hydrogen economy.

The Victorian Hydrogen Hub will be connected to a matching facility to be built by ARENA 2036 in Germany, to bring together more than 40 industry partners in Stuttgart.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Bronwyn Fox said: “The international partnership connects the largest industry players in the hydrogen sector in both countries, as well as some of the largest users of hydrogen expected to drive future demand.”

CSIRO’s Executive Director Nigel Warren said the hub could create around 300 new full-time jobs across research, engineering, construction and professional areas.

Construction of the Victorian Hydrogen Hub is expected to take 18 months.

Picture: Swinburne University

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