Hydrogen experts at ANU will collaborate with industry and government to create the Canberra Region Hydrogen Technology Cluster after receiving seed funding from National Energy Resources Australia’s $1.85m investment for 13 regional clusters across the country.

The Canberra cluster, which has received $100,000, will be led by Evoenergy and also involves ANU hydrogen researchers, the Smart Energy Council and the ACT Renewables Hub as its foundation members.

Cluster members will examine various challenges to increasing the use of hydrogen as part of the country’s transition to low-emission energy sources.

“The ACT can play a crucial role as a research leader in identifying the role hydrogen will play,” ANU Energy Change Institute Director, Professor Ken Baldwin, said.

“ANU hydrogen researchers work closely with industry and government and entities like ARENA and the CSIRO, and this will only deepen as the Canberra region cluster’s work progresses.”

Evoenergy, the ACT’s gas and electricity distributor, is exploring the role of hydrogen in its gas distribution network across Canberra and southern NSW.

The company is also constructing a hydrogen refuelling station in the industrial suburb of Fyshwick, which will be used to fuel 20 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that will be used by ACT Government workers.

“There’s a lot of hydrogen research activity underway at the ANU and across the Canberra region,” Dr Igor Skryabin, ANU Energy Change Institute Business Development Manager said.

“We’re excited to be part of this cluster, and are looking forward to getting started."