Port Kembla facility will turn University of Wollongong hydrogen research into commercial-scale manufacturing
University of Wollongong (UOW) has congratulated Hysata on receiving up to $49 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to establish a commercial-scale manufacturing line for its UOW-developed electrolyser technology at Port Kembla.
The $98 million project will establish a 50 megawatt per annum manufacturing line, with capacity to scale to 200 megawatts per annum as demand grows. The project is expected to create around 40 new manufacturing, engineering and technical jobs in the Illawarra.
UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO said the investment was an important milestone in the journey from university research to Australian-made clean-energy technology.
“Hysata’s electrolyser started as research in UOW laboratories, and it will now be manufactured at commercial scale a few kilometres down the road at Port Kembla. That is what a research university in a region like ours is for.
“I congratulate the Hysata team on this investment, and I thank Minister Chris Bowen, Minister Tim Ayres and the Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, for backing innovation and advanced manufacturing in the Illawarra.
“Around 40 skilled jobs will be created here, in a region that has been making things for a century and knows how to do it. Discoveries like this take years of patient investment in fundamental research – and partners willing to build on it. Today shows why both matter.
– Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO
Developed from research originating at UOW, Hysata’s capillary-fed electrolyser technology is designed to produce renewable hydrogen using less electricity than conventional electrolysers, with applications including steelmaking, chemicals, shipping and heavy transport.
The Port Kembla project will also include early commercial-scale electrolyser deployments and local manufacturing of key components, including membranes, anodes and cathodes. Hysata expects to spend $20 million to $30 million each year with Australian suppliers, supporting the development of a regional clean technology manufacturing ecosystem.
UOW will work with Hysata and TAFE NSW Illawarra on training, internships and skills development pathways to help build the local workforce required to support the clean energy transition.
The funding is being provided through ARENA’s Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, with Hysata matching the $49 million grant through private capital.
Hysata’s technology was developed from research at UOW and has subsequently progressed through commercialisation and investment to become a globally focused clean technology company.
