Andrew Forrest.
A reported $20 million boost to Australia’s hydrogen industry has come through a partnership to develop and commercialise hydrogen technology.
The collaboration between Fortescue and CSIRO includes a five-year agreement to fund and support select CSIRO technologies in the hydrogen space.
The first of the agreements will focus on CSIRO’s metal membrane technology, which will make the transportation of hydrogen economically viable, enabling the benefits of the low emission fuel to be realised.
“We are at the beginning of an energy revolution and Fortescue intends to be at the forefront of this once in a generation opportunity,” Fortescue chairman Andrew Forrest says.
“As a proud Australian company, we are excited to partner with CSIRO, our nation’s preeminent science and research body, to unlock the potential of hydrogen, the low emission fuel of the future.
“By combining CSIRO’s global leading research and development with Fortescue’s capability to rapidly develop new technologies, we will firmly establish our position in the global hydrogen industry.”
“Importantly, we see potential for a significant export market in hydrogen and look forward to collaborating with third parties to ensure Australia’s leadership in the new energy economy.”
Chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines says the partnership demonstrates Fortescue’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
“The agreement builds on Fortescue’s previous energy initiatives, including the conversion of the Solomon Power Station from diesel to gas generation and the development of the Fortescue River Gas Pipeline.”
