Federal funding has been opened up for innovative hydrogen fuel projects. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened its funding round for the German-Australian Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator HyGATE.

ARENA, on behalf of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, has teamed up with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), through Project Management Jülich (PtJ), to administer HyGATE. 

The initiative will support real-world pilot, trial and demonstration projects along the hydrogen supply chain.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the opening of the funding round in partnership with Germany was an exciting opportunity to work with a country leading the world in renewable hydrogen technologies.

“International partnerships will be key in helping Australia and the world to achieve net zero emissions, while also ensuring that we open up new market opportunities for the production of renewable hydrogen and other products made through its use, such as low emissions metals,” he said.

Australia and Germany have committed funding up to AU$50 million and €50 million, respectively, to the HyGATE initiative. 

The objective of HyGATE is to strengthen Australian-German cooperation on reducing the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable sources and to stimulate the innovation process in both countries.

Eligible Australian organisations can apply for funding through ARENA, with this funding round supporting projects that deliver on one or more specified outcomes, including:

  • Demonstrating highly innovative technology across the value chain of renewable hydrogen.

  • Reducing the cost of hydrogen production, transport, storage and use, and supporting the commercial viability of renewable hydrogen.

  • Developing an Australian-German supply-chain for renewable hydrogen.

  • Encouraging cross-country collaboration and knowledge sharing between Australian and German organisations.

  • Providing price discovery and transparency in relation to the current and projected economics for renewable hydrogen technologies.


More details are accessible here.