Green hydrogen is vital for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like steel, heavy transport, and chemicals. Currently, however, green hydrogen is too expensive to compete with fossil fuels due in large to the low efficiencies of existing electrolyzers.
The University of Wollongong (UOW) spin-out company, Hysata, is on its track to commercialize the world’s most efficient electrolyzer. Hysata’s capillary-fed electrolysis cell can produce green hydrogen from water at 98% cell energy efficiency. This productivity is superior to other existing electrolyzer technologies and is well above the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2050 target.
According to the company, the electrolyzer will deliver the world’s lowest hydrogen cost, save hydrogen producers billions of dollars in electricity costs, and enable green hydrogen to outcompete fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. The technology will enable hydrogen production of below A$2/kg (US$1.50/kg) by the mid-2020s. This is critical to making green hydrogen commercially viable and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
The breakthrough hydrogen electrolyzer technology was invented by researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW) and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES). The technology has been recognized on the global stage with ground-breaking research published in top tier peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Communications.
Hysata’s overall electrolyzer system has been designed for ease of manufacturing, scaling, and installation, delivering 95% overall system efficiency, equivalent to 41.5 kWh/kg, compared to 75% or less for existing electrolyzer technologies.
The company says this significant step change in hydrogen technology is on track to accelerate the global hydrogen economy and drive down the cost of green production in Australia and globally, positioning Australia as a leading manufacturer of electrolyzers and producer of green hydrogen.
“Hysata is proud to be at the forefront of this technology innovation and introducing an entirely new category of an electrolyzer that is as monumental as the shift from the internal combustion engine to electric motors,” said Gerry Swiegers, Chief Technology Officer at Hysata.
