In October 2024, Deakin University unveiled the Hycel Technology Hub at its Warrnambool campus, a groundbreaking step towards Australia’s clean energy future.
As the country’s first hydrogen research and demonstration facility, the state-of-the-art Hub spans 2200 sqm and focuses on advancing fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.
It offers dedicated spaces for research, testing and training to support the safe, commercially viable adoption of hydrogen into Australia’s clean energy mix.
‘Hycel brings a hands-on approach to real-world hydrogen usage,’ said Hycel Director, Professor Tiffany Walsh. ‘We bridge university, industry and the community to help drive the clean energy transition.’
The Hub is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, including the G400 fuel cell stack testing station, the only one of its kind in Australia. This unique facility is essential for testing and demonstrating hydrogen fuel cell technologies that are critical for powering land vehicles, aviation, marine vessels and more.
In addition to the testing station, the Hub features plumbed-in low- and high-pressure hydrogen lines to specialised laboratories. It also boasts a state-of-the-art product engineering lab, three dedicated lab bays and associated offices, all designed to foster collaboration and innovation.
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity, powering everything from vehicles to aircraft and generators. This transformative technology is key to advancing hydrogen solutions across industries, and the Hycel Technology Hub plays a vital role in ensuring hydrogen’s role in Australia's clean energy future.
Strategically located at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus, the Hycel Technology Hub underscores the importance of investing in regional communities. Situated along a key interstate transport corridor and within a Victorian Renewable Energy Zone, the Hub connects industries, communities and resources, fostering economic growth and innovation.
The Hub is made possible through a $9 million investment from the Commonwealth Government, matched by $9 million from the Victorian State Government, along with contributions from Deakin University. This collaborative effort showcases a shared commitment to advancing regional Australia’s role in clean energy innovation.
With an overall investment of over $20 million, the Hycel Technology Hub bridges the gap between world-class university research, industry needs and community impact. Its innovative approach is designed to tackle critical challenges in the hydrogen sector, helping unlock both domestic and global markets.
The Victorian Government's contribution supports the construction and development of hydrogen and future energy education programs. With the funding, Deakin is creating a new hydrogen curriculum for primary and high schools and hydrogen short courses for professional engineers.
The Hycel Technology Hub is designed to foster collaboration between Deakin University, industry, and the community. It features a dedicated multifunctional space for events, training and industry networking, creating opportunities for partners to leverage cutting-edge equipment and work alongside researchers to solve key challenges in hydrogen adoption.
‘At Hycel, industry partners can leverage these unique spaces and equipment to maximise their competitiveness and create new global market opportunities. And all within the broader context of hydrogen adoption encompassing safety, regulatory, societal and workforce development considerations,’ said Professor Walsh.
This article was published by Deakin University. Read the original article here.
