Australian-first international partnership to drive green hydrogen supply chain development

Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with GrapheneX Pty Ltd, CSIRO, Beyond H2 and Hydrogen 2.0, Sumitomo and Port Anthony Renewables in Australia, and internationally with Germany’s ARENA2036 and Japan’s Cleantech Inc on the Clayton Hydrogen Cluster. 

The Clayton cluster is part of a network of 13 national clusters, funded by National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), to establish a global identity and recognised brand for Australian hydrogen technology and expertise. 

Led by GrapheneX, the Clayton Hydrogen Cluster will leverage unique facilities being developed in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton including:  

• The Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) - the hydrogen refuelling station with hydrogen production and storage facility recently announced by the Victorian government  
• The joint Swinburne/CSIRO Industry 4.0 Testlab in Composite Additive Manufacturing and onsite Technology Demonstration Centre 

Swinburne is also part of the Gippsland Hydrogen Cluster in regional Victoria 

Australian-first international hydrogen partnership

The Clayton Hydrogen Cluster will be connected with ARENA2036 and Cleantech Japan, creating an Australian-first international hydrogen development partnership through knowledge-sharing and twin capacity development. 

“We welcome the strong support from NERA and the Victorian government in the establishment of the Clayton Hydrogen Technology Cluster,” says Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Bronwyn Fox.  

“Hydrogen research is a strategic focus at Swinburne. Through the Technology Demonstration Centre and our extensive connections via the cluster, the wider industrial community, manufacturing and service industry partners based in the Clayton region will be effectively engaged in helping to drive green hydrogen supply chain development.” 

Swinburne recently established the $10m Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2), supported by the Victorian government as a spotlight for hydrogen research and development. 

L-R: Director of Swinburne’s Manufacturing Futures Research Institute Professor Sally McArthur, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Bronwyn Fox and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester at the Victorian Government's funding announcement. Of the Victorian Hydrogen Hub in February 2021.

“The connection of the Clayton Hydrogen Technology Cluster will provide an excellent platform to identify and network with hydrogen business to catalyse the development of the Australian hydrogen industry,” says Director of Swinburne’s  Manufacturing Futures Research Institute, Professor Sally McArthur. 

Founder and Managing Director of GrapheneX, Stephen Wee says: “The unique hydrogen capability and world-class facilities are central for overcoming the challenges in hydrogen upscaling and commercialisation, the existing rich hydrogen activities and extensive networking capabilities of the consortium partners, which provide a perfect opportunity for extensively connecting stakeholders, sharing information and collaborating to address major technology and market challenges.  

“We look forward to the Clayton Hydrogen Technology Cluster bringing together industry stakeholders, engineers and scientists in developing technological capabilities in the areas of cost-effective hydrogen production, storage and distribution infrastructure, to enable Australia’s leading position in the global hydrogen industry.”  

ARENA2036 CEO Peter Froeschle says: “ARENA2036 is excited to be part of this international hydrogen development partnership through knowledge-sharing and twin capacity development. The cluster aims to develop a diverse workforce and skills that will enable a green hydrogen economy worldwide, supporting economic development through renewable energy leadership, and facilitating the formation of new jobs.”  

Leader of CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission, Dr Patrick Hartley, says: “CSIRO’s hydrogen industry mission is glad to be a partner in the cluster, and we bring our strengths as Australia’s foremost leader on hydrogen industry strategy development, as well as our significant hydrogen research and development infrastructure and skills to support it.  

“The cluster further leverages the strong collaborative links we have developed through the VH2 consortium, including the Hydrogen Refuelling Station with Hydrogen Production and Storage facilities, which will represent a state-of-the-art hydrogen demonstration capability, providing a perfect technology hub fostering new technologies along the hydrogen supply chain and working with industry to deliver the goals of the Clayton Hydrogen Cluster.” 

Regional Hydrogen Technology Clusters

NERA launched the Regional Hydrogen Technology Clusters Seed Funding Program in September 2020 to provide seed funding for successful applicants to form hydrogen technology clusters around key hydrogen projects and technology supply chains across Australia. Its goal is to enhance local cohesion, technology and capability in the hydrogen value chain. 

These regional hydrogen technology clusters will aid the development of the hydrogen supply chain, reduce overlaps and identify gaps in the development, deployment and commercialisation of new hydrogen-focused technologies.