South East Water and RMIT University's Groundbreaking Green Hydrogen Project Triumphs in 2024 Climate Innovation Challenge
Key Ideas
- South East Water and RMIT University win the 2024 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge for their green hydrogen production project, securing $113,000 in funding.
- The project uses a floating platform to convert solar radiation and recycled water into green hydrogen and valuable oxidants, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improve water quality.
- This collaboration showcases the potential for the water industry to lead in addressing climate challenges and demonstrates a real-world solution for achieving net-zero goals.
- The project aligns with South East Water's strategy to innovate with purpose and care, with plans to scale up the technology for future rollout across Victorian water utilities.
South East Water, a government-owned utility in Melbourne's south east, and RMIT University have emerged victorious in the 2024 Water Minister’s Climate Innovation Challenge for their groundbreaking method of producing green hydrogen from solar radiation and recycled water. This project, which received $113,000 in Victorian Government funding, utilizes a unique floating platform to harness solar energy and recycled water, converting them into green hydrogen and valuable oxidants like ozone and hydrogen peroxide. The initiative not only tackles energy challenges and reduces carbon emissions but also enhances water treatment processes. South East Water's Managing Director, Lara Olsen, expressed pride in the utility's recognition for innovation and sustainability, emphasizing the potential for the industry to address climate challenges effectively. Dr. Li Gao from RMIT University highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in translating research breakthroughs into practical solutions. The project aims to scale up its prototype for widespread implementation across water utilities in Victoria. With a focus on innovation at scale, this endeavor aligns with South East Water's strategic goals. The success of this project underscores the importance of technological innovation and collaboration in driving sustainability and addressing climate change.