Sun shines on CSIRO's cheap hydrogen industry

Curtin University researchers have developed a cheaper and safer way to bottle and store Australian sunshine as hydrogen fuel.

Hydrogen fuel can be created using solar power to generate
 electricity to 'crack' water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Researchers from Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences have created a lower-cost and less toxic method of developing hydrogen fuel from solar energy, paving the way for the growth of a hydrogen industry in Australia.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Col Latimer - “Sun shines on CSIRO's cheap hydrogen industry.” 

Toyota to build world first hydrogen and renewables plant

Toyota will build the first megawatt-scale hydrogen fuel and renewable generation plant, setting a new energy benchmark that experts hope with pave the way for Australia's hydrogen industry.

By 2030, between 10 million and 15 million cars
and half a million trucks will be hydrogen-powered globally.

Toyota North America will build the plant to support its operations at the Port of Long Beach, in the US, using agricultural waste to generate electricity, water and hydrogen.

Dubbed the Tri-Gen facility, the plant will generate around 2.35 megawatts of electricity and close to one tonne of hydrogen per day, providing enough daily power for more than 2300 homes and 1500 hydrogen-powered cars.

It will come online in 2020, and be used as proof of concept for large-scale hydrogen generation and renewable energy plants.

Read Cole Latimer’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Toyota to build world first hydrogen and renewables plant.”

CSIRO launch program to make Australia hydrogen fuel leader

The CSIRO has launched new Future Science Platforms to make Australia a renewable energy exporter and hydrogen fuel hotspot.

Australia is seeking to become a world
leader in hydrogen fuel technology.

It is investing $13.5 million into hydrogen fuel research and tailored health solutions.

Hydrogen fuel has been touted as a major future energy source. The development of a Hydrogen FSP will support the creation of technologies that will enable Australia to export its solar energy and a low-emissions energy source.

"Under our strategy 2020, we're committed to increasing funding for science that underpins innovation and will reinvent and create new industries and jobs for Australia's future," CSRIO chief executive Larry Marshall said.

Read Cole Latimer’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “CSIRO launch program to make Australia hydrogen fuel leader.”

Melbourne council to build emissions-free rubbish trucks by 2020

Australia's diesel-fuelled garbage truck fleet could be about to begin turning emissions-free, as a council in Melbourne's inner north is adapting its trucks to hydrogen fuel.

Moreland City Council plans to convert 12 of
the council's 18 trucks to zero-emissions by early 2020.

The Moreland City Council said it believed other local governments would follow in its footsteps.

"This is about changing the fuel source of heavy vehicles for councils," Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said.

"There would be councils right across the country that will be looking garbage truck fleet or the rollout of this project,”

Read Tom Nightingale’s ABC News story - “Melbourne council to build emissions-free rubbish trucks by 2020.”