Agreement to help accelerate global hydrogen market

Clean energy research and the development of the global hydrogen market is to be accelerated through a new collaboration between CSIRO and a Canadian university.

As energy and technology Ministers from around the globe met in Vancouver last week, CSIRO and the University of British Columbia (UBC) announced a Memorandum of Understanding aligned with the latest call to action from Mission Innovation.

Mission Innovation is a global initiative of 23 countries and the European Commission working to accelerate clean energy innovation through research, development and demonstration.

Launched in May 2018, Mission Innovation’s eighth Innovation Challenge has the objective to: “accelerate the development of a global hydrogen market by identifying and overcoming key technology barriers to the production, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen at gigawatt scale”.

The CSIRO/UBC collaboration will enhance research and industry partnerships between Canada and Australia on clean energy, providing opportunities for greater economic growth for both countries.

Partners will share best practices and develop joint clean energy research and demonstration projects, including hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of the global energy system, and could be a major clean energy commodity for Australia in years to come.

“CSIRO is conducting hydrogen research along the entire value chain, and we look forward to collaborating with UBC to help facilitate demonstrations that will clear the path to market for new technologies,” CSIRO Energy Director Dr Tim Finnigan said.

“By working together we can pool resources and expertise for mutually beneficial outcomes.”

UBC Faculty of Applied Science Dean James Olson said UBC was thrilled to join with CSIRO in advancing the objectives of Mission Innovation’s Renewable and Clean Hydrogen Innovation Challenge.

“UBC has long been a leader in hydrogen fuel cell-related research and development in Canada, and we are eager to draw on our vast expertise in hydrogen production, storage, distribution and use to help pave the way to a cleaner future,” Mr Olson said.