Fortescue has committed to advancing its involvement in green hydrogen technology. This commitment includes taking an equal top ownership stake in Sparc Hydrogen, with plans to pilot a unique production method in Adelaide by the end of the year.
Sparc Hydrogen is focused on turning sunlight directly into green hydrogen. This innovative technology stems from research by the University of Adelaide and Flinders University. Despite scaling back its green hydrogen plans last year, Fortescue is doubling down on this collaboration.
Fortescue has invested an additional $1.5 million in the venture, boosting its ownership in the stage two pilot project to 36%, equal to Sparc Technologies’ share. The project aims to scale the splitting of water molecules using advanced photocatalyst materials, sourced from Japan’s Shinshu University. With a pilot plant set for completion by mid-2025, the development will take place at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus.
Stage one trials occurred in late 2023 at CSIRO’s Energy Centre in Newcastle, utilizing heliostats that direct sunlight towards a solar tower to facilitate the water-splitting process.
In 2024, Fortescue reduced its green hydrogen ambitions, withdrawing its 15 million-ton production target for 2030 and postponing major Australian projects due to high energy prices. This affected projects like the hydrogen and ammonia hubs at Middle Arm and Gibson Island.
However, Fortescue is still moving forward with PEM50, its first commercial-scale green hydrogen facility in Gladstone, expected to start production this year utilizing proton exchange membrane electrolysers. Meanwhile, a green iron trial project in Western Australia remains under development.
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