Australia aims to become a leading producer of green hydrogen, a clean energy source, using a new technology from the company Hysata.
They are trying to make hydrogen production cheaper by eliminating bubbles in the process, which usually waste energy. Hysata’s method could cut electricity use by 20% compared to traditional methods.
Hydrogen is abundant and doesn’t produce carbon dioxide when used, making it a promising solution for reducing emissions, especially in heavy industries like steelmaking.
There are different types of hydrogen—green (from renewable energy), grey (from methane), blue (from methane with captured CO2), and black (from coal).
Australia, known for its resource exports, hopes to add hydrogen to its list of major exports. Hysata’s technology, developed from research at the University of Wollongong, involves a special sponge-like material that improves efficiency by stopping bubbles from sticking to the electrodes.
Despite the advancements, there are concerns about hydrogen’s viability as an export due to high shipping costs.
Some experts believe it’s better to use hydrogen locally rather than export it. However, supporters argue that with global interest and investment in hydrogen, Australia could still play a significant role in the clean energy future.
Dr. Ema Frery from CSIRO is also exploring “natural hydrogen” from Australian rocks, which could be a game-changer.
Meanwhile, other researchers are working on storing renewable energy as hydrogen for future use. As the world invests heavily in hydrogen, Australia hopes to become a key player in this growing field.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clddqwwyqq5o