Australia’s top scientific institution, CSIRO, has successfully demonstrated its state-of-the-art tubular solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) system at BlueScope Steel’s Port Kembla Steelworks. Initiated in October 2024, this pilot initiative has logged over 1,000 hours of successful operation, showcasing its ability to produce hydrogen in an efficient and renewable manner.

Unlike traditional electrolysis methods that rely mainly on electricity, CSIRO’s advanced SOE technology employs both residual heat from processes like steel production and electricity, significantly boosting efficiency.

Dr. Sarb Giddey, a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, highlighted the substantial energy efficiency improvements made during the trial. “By potentially reducing electricity requirements for hydrogen production by up to 30%, we can significantly impact the burgeoning hydrogen industry where energy costs are a major concern,” Dr. Giddey explained.

Reflecting on the importance of transitioning technology from the lab to real-world environments, Dr. Giddey added, “These field trials not only validate our technology under practical operational conditions but also help us identify and tackle unforeseen challenges, ensuring reliability and performance standards are met.”

Chris Page, Director of Future Technologies at BlueScope Steel, responded positively to the outcomes of the CSIRO electrolyser trial. “Supporting projects that align with our sustainable steel production goals is crucial. The pilot’s promising results bolster our commitment to advancing these innovations,” Page stated.

The technology’s development and route to commercialization are being led by Hadean Energy, a spin-off from CSIRO’s research efforts. Chris Rowland, CEO of Hadean Energy, remarked on the trial’s success, “Achieving the 1,000-hour milestone substantiates our technology’s robustness in an industrial setting and propels it closer to commercial deployment.”

Hadean Energy is gearing up to introduce a 5kW demonstration unit as part of the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnerships, an essential step toward industrial-scale pilot applications.

This project receives backing from the Science and Industry Endowment Fund and includes further durability and performance testing at CSIRO’s Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility.

These initiatives are part of CSIRO and Hadean Energy’s strategy to establish Australia as a leader in global clean hydrogen technologies.