CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has successfully completed a groundbreaking trial of its advanced hydrogen production technology at BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales.
The trial, which began in October 2024, has demonstrated the potential for affordable and renewable hydrogen generation at scale, paving the way for decarbonisation in heavy industry.
The tubular solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) technology developed by CSIRO has achieved 1000 hours of successful operation, marking a significant milestone in the field of green hydrogen production.
Unlike conventional electrolysers that primarily rely on electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, CSIRO‘s SOE technology utilises both waste heat from industrial processes and electricity, resulting in substantially improved efficiency.
Dr Sarb Giddey, Senior Principal Research Scientist and Group Leader at CSIRO, highlighted the technology’s impressive performance.
“The trial produced hydrogen with an electrical input of less than 36kWh per kilogram of hydrogen, by using the steam produced in the plant by the steelmaking processes,” he explained.
This achievement represents a potential 30 per cent reduction in electricity consumption compared to conventional methods, which could be a game-changer for the emerging hydrogen industry.
The successful field trial has not only validated the technology’s performance but also demonstrated its reliability in a real-world industrial setting.
“Taking a new technology out of the lab and into the field can highlight unforeseen challenges, so we are delighted to see that our technology is meeting the performance requirements in terms of hydrogen production, electrical efficiency, and reliability,” Dr Giddey added.
BlueScope, a key partner in this trial, sees hydrogen as an integral part of its pathway to achieving net-zero emissions.
Chris Page, Head of Future Technologies at BlueScope, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s outcomes.
“BlueScope is proud to support pilot projects on site, which align with our goals of low carbon emission steelmaking in the future.
“The CSIRO electrolyser pilot has produced positive outcomes in its short-term operation, and we look forward to seeing it evolve,” he stated.
The technology’s potential extends beyond the current trial.
CSIRO spinout Hadean Energy has licensed the SOE technology and aims to accelerate industrial decarbonisation.
Chris Rowland, CEO of Hadean Energy, emphasised the technology’s additional advantages, including lower construction costs due to simplified manufacturing processes and more readily available materials.
As the project moves forward, Hadean Energy will continue conducting long-term durability and performance tests of the modular design at CSIRO’s Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility.
The company is also preparing to showcase a 5kW demonstration unit as part of the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnerships, positioning itself as a leading global clean hydrogen technology provider.
This research, supported by the Science and Industry Endowment Fund, represents a significant step towards sustainable hydrogen production and industrial decarbonisation.
The successful trial at BlueScope’s steelworks demonstrates the potential for this innovative technology to play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions across heavy industries.
