News

World-leading hydrogen electrolyser technology commercialised by Hysata, an Australian university spin-out backed by IP Group, has been recognised today in research published in the top tier scientific journal Nature Communications.

The ground-breaking research confirms Hysata’s ‘capillary-fed electrolysis cell’ can produce green hydrogen from water at 98% cell energy efficiency, well above the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2050 target. The efficiency is significantly better than existing electrolyser technologies, enabling a hydrogen production cost well below A$2/kg (US$1.50/kg).

Green hydrogen is vital for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors like steel, heavy transport and chemicals. To meet the demand in these sectors, the Energy Transitions Commission expects demand for green hydrogen to grow to 500-800 million tonnes per annum by 2050, creating a new multi-trillion-dollar industry.

Currently, green hydrogen is too expensive to compete with fossil fuels largely due to the low efficiencies of existing electrolysers. Hysata’s ultra-high efficiency electrolyser will accelerate global decarbonisation, making green hydrogen competitive vastly earlier than expected.

The technology was invented by scientists at the University of Wollongong and is now being commercialised by Hysata.

Paul Barrett, CEO of Hysata and IP Group Australia Head of Physical Sciences, said the company is on a clear pathway to commercialise the world’s most efficient electrolyser and reach gigawatt-scale hydrogen production capacity by 2025.

“Our electrolyser will deliver the world’s lowest hydrogen cost, save hydrogen producers billions of dollars in electricity costs and enable green hydrogen to outcompete fossil fuel-derived hydrogen,” Mr Barrett said.

“Our technology will enable Australia to reach its target of producing hydrogen at under $2 per kilogram by the mid-2020s, much earlier than expected. This is critical to making green hydrogen commercially viable and decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors.

“Hysata has some of Australia’s brightest minds working together to position Australia as a leading manufacturer and exporter of electrolysers, with plans underway to build a pilot electrolyser manufacturing plant and employ dozens of new highly skilled specialists in 2022.

Michael Molinari, IP Group Australia Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly excited to see the progress being made by Paul, Gerry and the team at Hysata towards making green hydrogen accessible and affordable for a range of applications.

"This is a great example of the IP Group model in action, where we have looked around the world for the best hydrogen technology and worked closely together with the academic team and university from Day 1 to surround the technology with talent and expertise.”

“This is not just a landmark scientific paper, Hysata has the potential to become a world-changing company.”

Media contact: Aileen Bodart, Cannings Strategic Communications, +61 432 160 136

About IP Group

IP Group is a leading intellectual property commercialisation company focused on evolving great ideas and cutting-edge research from its partner universities into world-changing businesses. The Group pioneers a unique approach to developing these ideas and the resulting businesses by providing access to business building expertise, capital, scientific insight, and supporting infrastructure. IP Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IPO), has a strong track record of success and, its portfolio comprises holdings in early stage to mature businesses across life sciences and technology. In Australia and New Zealand, IP Group works in close partnership with the Go8 Universities and the University of Auckland to identify ground-breaking technologies rooted in hard science, which have the most promising commercial potential. www.ipgroupanz.com

About Hysata

Hysata is an Australian electrolyser company that is developing a completely new type of electrolyser, featuring the world’s most efficient electrolysis cell coupled with a simplified balance of plant. Electricity makes up most of the cost of green hydrogen and therefore, the most efficient electrolyser will deliver the lowest cost hydrogen. The Hysata founding team comprises electrolyser industry veterans, with deep expertise in the design and scale-up of novel electrolysers. Building on that foundation, we are growing a world-class engineering, manufacturing and commercial team with a footprint on multiple continents. Backed by leading global investors, Hysata is moving rapidly towards manufacturing at the multi-gigawatt scale needed to address climate change. For more information visit www.hysata.com