CSIRO unveils new renewable hydrogen refueling station in Australia

The $2.5 million facility will be used to test emerging hydrogen technology and train the next generation on the use of hydrogen stations.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refueling station (HRS).

Built with the purpose of enabling hydrogen (H2) research, the $2.5 million refueling station uses green hydrogen produced with electricity from renewable sources. This allows H2 cars to travel over 600 km emissions-free on a full tank.

Located at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria, the station showcases the real-world application of the alternative fuel and will be used to demonstrate H2’s utility for transport.

It will also be used to test emerging hydrogen technology and train the next generation on the use of HRS to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive.

“Hydrogen plays a key part in our transition to clean energy, and demonstration projects such as these help to test technical, regulatory and economic aspects of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and support the urgent training and workforce development for this expanding hydrogen energy ecosystem,” said Professor Karen Hapgood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Swinburne University of Technology.

The refueling station can generate up to 20kg of green hydrogen a day via electrolysis, and has a storage capacity of 80kg, enough for more than 10 cars.