(Perth/Australia) – A network of 13 regional hydrogen clusters is being created in Australia. The goal is to build a globally competitive hydrogen industry. The project management is subject to the NERA (National Energy Resources Australia) industry initiative, which is supported by the Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. The local association of numerous experts will “ensure the sustainable development of a hydrogen value chain,” explained Managing Director Miranda Taylor.
Seed Funding Program
The establishment of the regional industrial and research clusters in all Australian states and territories is the result of a stimulus program in September last year. At the time, NERA called for expressions of interest from companies and consortia for the “Regional Hydrogen Technology Cluster Seed Funding Program”. In February and March 2020, NERA conducted eleven workshops across Australia and consulted with almost 300 hydrogen industry professionals.
Funding commitments of $1,85 million
NERA has since garnered funding commitments from state and territory governments across the country, as well as from industry. Accordingly, funding of around 1,85 million Australian dollars (1,16 million euros) is intended to boost an investment volume of several billion dollars. 
In other media, however, a figure of 1,75 million dollars was mentioned, as can also be seen from the sum of the project funding listed here in the table. When asked, a NERA spokesman explained the difference between the official and the rumored figure: Shortly after this table was released by National Energy Resources Australia, the government of Tasmania pledged additional funds at the beginning of this week, meaning the Bell Bay Cluster there now has over $200.000 can have.
Initiative follows the National Hydrogen Strategy
The initiative was created on the basis of the National Hydrogen Strategy, which the Council for Australian Governments (COAG) published in November 2019. It suggested the development of a national cluster led by NERA.
Supporters of the respective industry networks in the states and territories include governments as well as individual companies, universities and numerous organizations. Under the leadership of NERA, the individual clusters will now join together to form a virtual network and exchange their experiences, pool knowledge and close gaps.
The map shows current projects (as of January 2021) and areas with high suitability for the production of renewable hydrogen in Australia (clicking on the map leads to the original).
This scenario assumes that the majority of future hydrogen production will use desalinated seawater. The map was created by Geoscience Australia, an agency of the Federal Department of Natural Resources, Energy and Tourism (further information: https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/energy/resources/hydrogen) / © Geoscience Australia
deep link
https://www.nera.org.au/News/hydrogen-clusters-announcement
https://www.nera.org.au/regional-hydrogen-technology-clusters
Photos
Australia connects © Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
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