February 25, 2015

Funding boost for innovative energy technology

The NSW State Government will fund a high-tech facility in the Illawarra to house University of Wollongong spin-off company AquaHydrex.

The AquaHydrex water splitting technology was developed a UOW and Monash University partnership, led by Professor Gordon Wallace (front) and (rear, from left)Professor Doug MacFarlane, Monash, Professor Gerhard Swiegers, UOW and Dr Paul Barret, AquaHydrex General Manager.

NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant said that North Wollongong would be the home of the company that develops hydrogen for use a clean, green fuel source.

“There is significant demand for this product because it provides a clean, affordable fuel alternative and AquaHydrex is leading the way in research,” Mr Grant said.

The advanced technology was developed by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at the University of Wollongong and Monash University, where researchers saw a problem in the high costs involved in producing hydrogen.  

Expensive metals like platinum used in the production resulted in a prohibitively high cost, preventing widespread adoption of hydrogen as fuel.

The team developed a cheaper hydrogen production method using light from the sun, and seawater as the base material. 

Spin-off company AquaHydrex was formed with investment secured from True North Venture Capital.

ACES Director Professor Gordon Wallace said that his centre will continue to lead AquaHydrex’s fundamental research program, ensuring the venture remains at the forefront of hydrogen technology development, and is commercially successful in the long-term.

“We are proud to see the growth of the company and we will continue to provide access to world class facilities and research personnel to help sustain a global leadership position,” Professor Wallace said.