Hycel

Hydrogen for a cleaner future

As one of Australia’s first facilities for safely testing, manufacturing, optimising and training in new hydrogen technologies, Hycel is focused on technologies that use hydrogen rather than processes that produce it.

Hycel Technology Hub will be a ‘living laboratory’ that translates lab results into real-world solutions. Hycel’s Establishment phase was supported by $2 million in Commonwealth Government funding. Hycel’s Technology phase is supported by $9 million in Victorian Government funding.

Discover our research

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, discusses Warrnambool-based Hycel and its groundbreaking hydrogen research and development into clean energy and transport innovation.

Hycel's focus areas

At a global level, the hydrogen market is predicted to reduce carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes annually, employ up to 30 million people and be worth around $US2.5 trillion by 2050.* *Source: Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen, Scaling Up, 2017 https://hydrogencouncil.com/en/study-hydrogen-scaling-up/

Hycel is working with researchers, industry, government, and community to ready Australia for the hydrogen economy.

With a focus on hydrogen usage in heavy vehicle transport and natural gas industries, Hycel’s technological innovations aim to deliver clean, affordable energy solutions that support Australian and Victorian emissions reduction targets and develop Australia’s hydrogen economy.

Why is hydrogen a fuel of the future?

Hydrogen is an important part of a clean energy future because it can be used to effectively store renewable electricity, supporting flexibility across the grid, as well as creating clean liquid fuels for use in transport.

This video has been reproduced with permission from CSIRO.

Boosting jobs and skills training

Hycel leverages Deakin University's expertise in advanced materials, energy systems, IT and social sciences. Located at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus, Hycel will create up to 210 full-time roles across the region over the next ten years.

Hycel is also helping to develop unique training opportunities in growing industries. In partnership with South West TAFE, Hycel is developing an education pipeline; connecting industry to vocational and tertiary providers so that workers are ready for the hydrogen jobs of the future. With increased investment in education, Victoria’s south-west is set to become a destination for renewable energy skills training.

The Hycel Technology Hub is being designed from the ground-up to test technologies at scale, deliver targeted solutions that bolster industries and provide new energy opportunities. Partnering with energy and transport companies strengthens connections to national and international leaders and helps puts Australia at the forefront of global clean energy innovation.

Strengthening Victoria’s south-west economy

Strategically located in Warrnambool, Hycel is situated along a key transport corridor that connects industries, communities and resources across the regions.

As a regional hub for testing hydrogen technologies at a scale, Hycel builds momentum for Victoria’s south-west to capitalise on increasing global demand for hydrogen. With unique access to resources, including wind, water and shipping ports, Hycel supports the region to attract further investment, realising Australia’s potential to become a major exporter of hydrogen and technologies that enable its use.

Ultimately, Hycel supports the region’s long-term economic security and growth by boosting new local industries, creating jobs, and attracting new industries and businesses to the area. Hycel is aligned with the Great South Coast Economic Futures report.

What's next?

Hycel's Establishment phase delivered research, safety, training, and regulatory foundations in hydrogen over an initial 12-month period, which was supported by $2 million Commonwealth funding.

Hycel’s Technology phase will see the creation of the Hycel Technology Hub at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus. This facility will be a regional hub of hydrogen expertise. The team will engage with industry and the local community to develop a pipeline of future tenants/partners to finalise fit-out requirements and occupy the tenant laboratories, education and office spaces. The Victorian Government has funded $9 million of Hycel’s Technology phase. Deakin University allocated $2 million towards the project. The Commonwealth Government has funded $7 million of Hycel’s Technology phase.