Paul Barrett, CEO of Australian green energy firm Hysata, is discussing their strategy to produce the world’s most affordable hydrogen by addressing the inefficiencies caused by bubble formation. Based in Port Kembla, south of Sydney, Hysata utilizes electrolysis—a process of passing electricity through water to split it into hydrogen and oxygen. However, their breakthrough involves a unique material that enhances the efficiency of their electrolyser.
Hysata claims its technology reduces electricity consumption by 20% per kilogram of gas compared to traditional methods. Hydrogen, the most abundant element on Earth, offers a significant advantage as it does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when used as fuel or in industrial processes. This makes it a key player in reducing carbon emissions, particularly in energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking and chemical production.
Hydrogen production falls into four categories: green, grey, blue, and black. Green is produced using renewable energy; grey comes from splitting methane into CO2 and hydrogen; blue also comes from methane but includes CO2 capture and storage; and black is derived from burning coal.
To make green gas a viable alternative, its production must be significantly scaled up. Dr. Liam Wagner, an associate professor at Curtin University, highlights that the challenge lies in efficiently producing and regulating green to meet demand. Australia, with its rich natural resources and export-driven economy, is well-positioned to lead in its production, potentially exporting it as a liquid or as ammonia.
Hysata’s technology, developed at the University of Wollongong, addresses one of the key inefficiencies in traditional electrolysis: the problem of bubbles sticking to electrodes, which causes energy loss. Their innovative solution involves a sponge-like material that eliminates these bubbles, resulting in higher efficiency and lower manufacturing costs.
Recently, Hysata secured $111 million in investment to expand its production capabilities. Dr. Ema Frery, a research team leader at CSIRO, notes that natural hydrogen, or geogenic hydrogen, could be another resource for hydrogen production. This type of hydrogen comes from geological processes in rocks and can be extracted economically. Dr. Frery is exploring how to effectively extract, store, and use this hydrogen, drawing parallels with successful extraction efforts in Mali, where natural gas has been used for over a decade to generate electricity for a local village.
