WORKS BEGIN ON AUSTRALIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN FUEL CELL R & D CENTRE
Works have begun at Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell research and development facility at Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus.
The Hycel Technology Hub is a cornerstone facility within Deakin’s $23m hydrogen research and innovation programme.
The Hycel Technology Hub will see the development, assembly, testing, and demonstration of hydrogen fuel cells, with a focus on developing fuel cells for heavy vehicles, starting with heavy haulage trucks, and potentially progressing to other larger scale uses including trains or boats.
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity that can then be used to power vehicles and similarly in stationary applications to power or heat homes, businesses, and industry.
Deakin plans to transition its Warrnambool campus from gas to hydrogen and support conversion of the Warrnambool Bus Line’s fleet to clean energy.
The project includes the construction of a new 2200 sqm facility at the Warrnambool campus with specialised fuel cell assembly and testing equipment and a heavy vehicle integration bay, along with training facilities and a multi-functional space for education and demonstration activities.
The Hycel Technology Hub is being built by Victorian group Fairbrother Construction. It will support up to 200 jobs over the life of the project, including around 50 construction jobs and 16 in the energy sector.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2023.