Hadean Energy to Build AUD 30M Pilot Electrolysis Plant in Victoria

Australian clean-tech firm Hadean Energy is set to construct and operate an AUD 30 million pilot green hydrogen facility in Victoria, backed by a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The government body awarded AUD 15 million ($10.5 million) to test tubular solid oxide electrolysis (tSOE) technology in an operational setting, as reported by pv-magazine.com pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗.

The technological process originated from research conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and was subsequently advanced by Sydney-based Hadean Energy. Tubular solid oxide electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen at high temperatures pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗. The upcoming demonstration intends to establish whether this system can support lower-emissions steel manufacturing.

Industrial Waste Heat Utilization

According to Hadean Energy, the tSOE system reduces electricity demand by integrating waste heat generated during heavy manufacturing operations. The company reported that this thermal integration enables the unit to consume roughly 30% less electric power than conventional electrolysers pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗.

ARENA Chief Executive Officer Darren Miller noted that reducing power requirements lowers operating expenses and enhances the practicality of green hydrogen for industrial adoption. Demonstrating the tubular configuration under plant conditions will supply engineering data to evaluate operational durability and economic viability pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗.

Steelmaking Pilot Deployment

The Victoria demonstration site will directly deliver produced hydrogen to an adjacent steelmaking facility. This arrangement tests the fuel's utility as a direct replacement for traditional carbon-intensive inputs within industrial metallurgy pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗.

Australian officials stated that targeting high-heat sectors is necessary because these industrial segments cannot readily transition to direct electrification. The pilot project will assess supply chain logistics, equipment performance, and regional technical capacity while advancing the technology toward commercial scale pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗.