Sparc Hydrogen pilot plant opening ceremony

A first in green hydrogen reactor technology is being launched today at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus by Sparc Hydrogen Pty Ltd, a start-up company founded to translate research conducted by Professor Greg Metha. Sparc Hydrogen is a joint venture between Fortescue, Sparc Technologies and the University of Adelaide. Representatives from each partner joined the ceremony.

The Sparc Hydrogen Advanced Research Pilot (SHARP) is a test bed for photocatalytic water splitting (PWS), a process which harnesses the sun’s energy to extract (green) hydrogen from water, without the need for electrolysers powered by electricity — a potential game-changer in the global effort to deliver scalable, low-cost, renewable hydrogen.

SHARP will accelerate the development of Sparc Hydrogen’s patented PWS reactor technology and will enable real-world evaluation of PWS catalysts being developed globally. In bringing together the world’s best reactor and catalyst technologies, and invaluable operational experience, SHARP represents a huge step forward in solar hydrogen commercialisation.

A commissioning ceremony at the University’s Roseworthy campus today, Tuesday 24 June, marks the fruition of years of University research and months of work undertaken by partners Sparc Technologies, the University of Adelaide and integrated green technology, energy and metals company, Fortescue Limited.

PWS is often referred to as direct solar-to-hydrogen technology as it avoids the need to convert solar energy into electricity to split water via electrolysis.

In photocatalysis, the sun’s energy is directed onto a highly specialised photocatalyst material, which forms reactive sites that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen without electrolysis.

​Despite decades of research and notable advancements, the efficiency of PWS remains a key challenge to reaching commercialisation. The SHARP pilot plant aims to improve the economics of producing green hydrogen using PWS through driving increased efficiencies within modular and scalable concentrated solar infrastructure.

In the lead up to commissioning of the plant, front-end engineering and design was undertaken by leading global engineering and commercial service provider Incitias, while Sparc Hydrogen’s photocatalytic water splitting reactor, which is being commissioned using photocatalysts developed by Shinshu University in Japan, was developed at the University of Adelaide’s School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences.

Quotes regarding the launching of the Sparc Hydrogen pilot plant attributable to:

Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Adelaide

“Sparc Hydrogen demonstrates how the University of Adelaide is working with industry partners to develop new pathways for the translation of world-class research conducted here in South Australia.

This project aims to respond to one of the great challenges of our times: the development of green energy solutions for a sustainable future for society.”

Professor Greg Metha, Lead Researcher and Inventor, Sparc Hydrogen and Acting Director, Centre for Energy Technology, University of Adelaide

The SHARP plant at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus will allow us to independently and concurrently test different reactor designs and photocatalyst materials.

This next-generation photocatalytic water splitting technology has major advantages over electrolysis as it offers the potential to produce low cost, scalable green hydrogen and heat without significant electricity use.

Michael Dolan, Director of R&D, Fortescue

At Fortescue, we are investing in a suite of technologies that can accelerate decarbonisation at an industrial scale.

The SHARP pilot demonstrates the power of partnership in pushing the boundaries of green hydrogen innovation. Photocatalytic water splitting has long held promise and this project is a step toward unlocking its commercial potential.

Mr Nick O’Loughlin, Managing Director, Sparc Technologies

The SHARP plant represents a first-of-its-kind demonstration and R&D facility globally for photocatalytic water splitting and is a key step towards commercialisation of the technology.

In an environment where major challenges exist for hydrogen projects due to the high cost of power, the requirement for new solutions to unlock low-cost green hydrogen without relying on electrolysers has never been higher.