CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has conducted a successful trial of its hydrogen production technology at BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales. The trial, which commenced in October 2024, demonstrated the feasibility of generating affordable and renewable hydrogen at scale to aid in decarbonizing heavy industry. The tubular solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) technology by CSIRO has been operational for 1000 hours during the trial, showcasing its efficiency in utilizing both waste heat and electricity to produce hydrogen. This advanced technology significantly reduces the electricity required for hydrogen production, potentially saving up to 30% in electricity costs, making it a game-changer in the nascent hydrogen industry. Dr. Sarb Giddey, a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, highlighted the technology's performance in terms of hydrogen production, electrical efficiency, and reliability. BlueScope's Head of Future Technologies, Chris Page, expressed support for hydrogen as a crucial element in the company's journey towards net zero emissions. Hadean Energy, a spinout of CSIRO, has licensed the SOE technology and is actively working on accelerating industrial decarbonization. Hadean Energy's CEO, Chris Rowland, emphasized the cost advantages of the technology due to its simplified manufacturing process and use of readily available materials. The successful 1000-hour milestone in a real-world industrial setting has elevated the technology readiness level, making it closer to commercialization. Additionally, supported by the Science and Industry Endowment Fund, Hadean Energy is conducting long-term trials to assess durability and performance. As the trials progress, Hadean Energy is gearing up to present a 5kW demonstration unit as part of the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnerships, paving the way for large-scale industrial pilots. These developments position CSIRO and Hadean Energy as significant players in the global clean hydrogen technology sector, marking a crucial milestone in the quest for industrial decarbonization.