Worldwide hydrogen supply chains have been handed a huge boost today (Nov 23) with Australia and Germany committing to jointly strengthen bilateral cooperation on hydrogen technology.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will take a lead role in the new joint hydrogen innovation and technology incubator dubbed HyGATE, which will support real-world pilot, trial, demonstration and research projects along the hydrogen supply chain.

The Australian Government has said that ARENA and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will aim to open the funding initiative in the first quarter of 2022.

To support the new joint project, Australia has committed A$50m ($36m) in funding whilst Germany has provided an additional €50m ($56m) to support the take-off of the initiative.

It is hoped that the initiative will accelerate the scale up innovative hydrogen technologies whilst also providing an export opportunity for Australian made hydrogen to the European markets.

Angus Taylor, Australian Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, said, “The Morrison Government’s ambition is to produce affordable clean hydrogen for use both in Australia and to export to our trading partners, including Germany which has high demand for energy.

“The recent release of the first report from HySupply, our joint Australian-German hydrogen supply chain study, found there is great potential for Australian hydrogen to supply growing demand in Germany.

“Our partnership with Germany through the HyGATE project will accelerate the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry and will create new jobs and economic opportunities on the path to net zero.”