The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened its funding round for the German-Australian Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator (known as HyGATE).
ARENA, on behalf of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, has teamed up with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), through Project Management Jülich (PtJ), to administer HyGATE.
The initiative will support real-world pilot, trial and demonstration projects along the hydrogen supply chain.
ARENA chief executive officer Darren Miller said the opening of the funding round in partnership with Germany was an exciting opportunity to work with a country leading the world in renewable hydrogen technologies.
He said: “International partnerships will be key in helping Australia and the world to achieve net zero emissions, while also ensuring that we open up new market opportunities for the production of renewable hydrogen and other products made through its use, such as low emissions metals.”
Australia and Germany have committed funding up to AU$50 million and €50 million, respectively, to the HyGATE initiative.
The objective of HyGATE is to strengthen Australian-German cooperation on reducing the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable sources and to stimulate the innovation process in both countries.
HyGATE aims to bring together Australian and German industry and research partners to deliver new hydrogen projects, with the projects primarily occurring in Australia.
Eligible Australian organisations can apply for funding through ARENA, with this funding round supporting projects that deliver on one or more specified outcomes, including:
• Demonstrating highly innovative technology across the value chain of renewable hydrogen.
• Reducing the cost of hydrogen production, transport, storage and use, and supporting the commercial viability of renewable hydrogen.
• Developing an Australian-German supply-chain for renewable hydrogen.
• Encouraging cross-country collaboration and knowledge sharing between Australian and German organisations.
• Providing price discovery and transparency in relation to the current and projected economics for renewable hydrogen technologies.
The Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord, announced in June 2021, builds on the respective strengths of the two countries.
Australia has what it takes to be a world leader in the production and export of clean hydrogen and Germany holds expertise in hydrogen technology and is planning to import significant quantities of hydrogen in the future.
Miller added: “We look forward to seeing Australian companies bring forward ambitious hydrogen projects in response to this initiative with Germany.
“Clean hydrogen is an important tool in the pursuit of net zero globally and represents a compelling economic opportunity for Australia.”
