Kwinana located south of Perth, is set to become a hub for cutting-edge clean energy research and training. The Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub (KETH), spearheaded by the Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC), has been awarded a major grant to develop an industrial-scale facility dedicated to researching, testing, and demonstrating decarbonization technologies for the energy industry.
With a focus on clean hydrogen technologies and workforce training, the KETH aims to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon energy sector and solidify Western Australia’s position as a global leader in the clean energy revolution.
The KETH represents a groundbreaking initiative that has garnered support from various stakeholders, including governments and organizations eager to witness the successful decarbonization of the energy sector. With a $15 million funding boost from the Western Australian State Government’s Investment Attraction Fund, the KETH is set to take a decisive step forward, enabling the Final Investment Decision (FID) for Phase 1, which encompasses hydrogen, training, and research and development facilities.
Under the leadership of KETH CEO Simona Chady, the facility is poised to host over 50 research projects, each contributing to the development and validation of cutting-edge decarbonization technologies. As part of its mission, the KETH will also play a pivotal role in shaping the energy workforce of the future, providing essential training to equip the workforce with the necessary skills for tomorrow’s energy landscape.
The potential impact of the KETH extends beyond its immediate confines. As an open-access, multi-user environment, the facility will offer industries the opportunity to demonstrate and validate technologies at an industrially relevant scale. Moreover, it will serve as a certification center for equipment and a training ground for process operators. This multi-faceted approach aims to catalyze the adoption of clean energy solutions across the broader Kwinana industrial estate and other sectors in Western Australia.
The KETH’s vision aligns with Western Australia’s ambition to be at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. By accelerating the commercial-scale deployment of hydrogen and advancing cutting-edge technology development, the KETH seeks to position the state as a global leader in the realm of clean energy.
FEnEx CRC CEO Professor Eric May emphasizes the educational and research benefits that the KETH will bring to Western Australia, asserting that it will remain a focal point of knowledge leadership central to the energy transition. As the KETH takes shape, it holds the promise of being a transformative force in driving the region’s journey towards sustainability and shaping a cleaner, more resilient energy system for generations to come.
