The challenge
CSIRO Futures, in collaboration with CSIRO Energy, embarked on a joint project to identify the opportunities and priorities for hydrogen research, development and demonstration (RD&D) with the view to support a domestic and export hydrogen industry within Australia.
The project was developed in parallel with, and supports the Australian Government's Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy, and builds upon CSIRO's National Hydrogen Roadmap, which discussed commercial opportunities for hydrogen technology implementation.
Our approach
The Hydrogen Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D): Priorities and Opportunities for Australia report was informed by literature, publication and patent review; and interviews with individuals from industry, government, and the research community.
The team undertook a comprehensive technology scan of 60 hydrogen production, storage and distribution technologies, assessing benefits, impact potential, current state, active institutions, and RD&D priorities.
To support technology investment decision making, the technology scan included analysis of a range of comparable characteristics; such as operating conditions, required resources, energy efficient, cost and availability of components, customer end-use requirements, and by-products that could be leveraged in other processes or markets.
The results
The report identifies the significant roles that RD&D can play in supporting the emerging hydrogen industry, and outlines steps to translate Australia's strong hydrogen research capability into a key pillar of the nation's energy and export profile.
The technology scans within the project led to the development of an online hydrogen technology marketplace which acts as a tool for industry and government to understand the technological landscape and prioritise investment for a viable hydrogen industry. The marketplace provides to inform investment decision making; and acts as a collaboration platform to help Australian and global industry connect with hydrogen experts across Australia. The analysis and technology marketplace is currently being used as the foundation for a 'living document' and collaboration platform within industry.