The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced it will be a part of the development and delivery of the German-Australian Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator (HyGATE).
HyGATE aims to stimulate the innovation process in both countries and strengthen Australian-German cooperation.
AUD$50 million and €50 million is committed by Australia and Germany respectively to invest in new renewable hydrogen projects.
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will work alongside ARENA to manage HyGATE.
ARENA and BMBF will work to support pilot, trial, demonstration and research projects along the hydrogen supply chain.
HyGATE aims to be open by ARENA and BMBF by early 2022.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said he welcomed the opportunity to work with BMBF.
“We are excited to work with the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and continue to build a stronger relationship with Germany, who are one of the world’s leaders when it comes to renewable hydrogen technology,” Miller said.
“ARENA now has an opportunity to highlight Australia’s innovation and commitment to growing and being at the forefront of a renewable hydrogen economy.”
Australia is looking to be a major hydrogen exporter whilst Germany holds expertise in hydrogen technology and is looking to import substantial hydrogen quantities.
German Federal Minister for Education and Research Anja Karliczek said HyGATE was a win-win opportunity for Germany and Australia.
“It will enable Germany to import green hydrogen in relevant quantities – a key factor in achieving our strengthened climate targets,” Karliczek said.
“We can thus put our energy supply on a broader basis and Australia can export green hydrogen in the future.”
The announcement comes after the government announced the Declaration of Intent between the Government of Australia and the Government of Germany on the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord in June.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said to get new energy technologies to commercial parity, international collaboration focused on technological innovation was necessary.
“Our partnership with Germany will accelerate the development of an Australian hydrogen industry and create new jobs,” Morrison said.
“Our ambition is to produce the cheapest clean hydrogen in the world, which will transform transport, mining, resources and manufacturing at home and overseas.”
For more information visit ARENA‘s website.