Community
4 October, 2024
Hydrogen Hub a first for Aus
DEAKIN University’s hydrogen research and demonstration centre, the Hycel Technology Hub, was officially opened at the Warrnambool campus this week.
Australia’s first hydrogen hub, Hycel is an impressive 2200 square metre facility designed for hydrogen research, demonstration, testing and training.
Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio was a special guest at Tuesday’s opening, along with Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan and state member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Ermacora.
Hycel is strategically located at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus, along a key interstate transport corridor that connects industries, communities and resources, and is within a Victorian renewable energy zone.
Hycel’s vision is to facilitate the industry-led advance of safe, commercially viable adoption of hydrogen into Australia’s clean energy mix.
The Hub includes purpose-built spaces for industry co-location with a focus on fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.
Deakin University vice-chancellor Professor Iain Martin believes the Hycel Technology Hub epitomises Deakin’s approach of being agile and industry-facing.
“The hub enables the sector to tackle key industry challenges that could unlock new domestic and global markets,” Professor Martin said.
“Hycel’s total program value is more than $20 million and this investment in hydrogen and in regional Victoria demonstrates Deakin’s continued investment in our Warrnambool campus.”
Hycel Director Professor Tiffany Walsh said Hycel brings a hands-on approach to real-world hydrogen usage.
“We bridge university, industry and the community to help drive the clean energy transition,” Professor Walsh said.
The building includes plumbed-in low and high pressure hydrogen to specialised laboratories and equipment such as the G400 fuel cell stack testing station - the only one of its kind in Australia.
Fuel cells are the technology that transform hydrogen gas into electricity to power land vehicles, aviation and marine applications, as well as ground-based uses such as generators.
The facility includes a new product engineering lab and three dedicated lab bays with associated offices.
The hub also boasts a dedicated community and multifunctional space for events, training, industry collaboration and networking.
“At Hycel, industry partners can leverage these unique spaces and equipment to maximise their competitiveness and create new global market opportunities,” Professor Walsh said.
“And all within the broader context of hydrogen adoption encompassing safety, regulatory, societal and workforce development considerations.”
The Hycel Technology Hub was jointly funded by the federal and state governments (nine million dollars each) along with contributions from Deakin.
Pictures courtesy Deakin University.
