Fortescue Invests in Cutting-Edge Green Hydrogen Technology with Sparc Hydrogen in Adelaide
Key Ideas
  • Fortescue commits $1.48 million to advance green hydrogen technology with Sparc Hydrogen, focusing on Sparc's novel photocatalytic water splitting technology.
  • The collaboration aims to overcome key barriers to scale for the renewable hydrogen industry by utilizing sunlight, water, and a photocatalyst instead of electricity.
  • University of Adelaide's Professor Gregory Metha highlights the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the photocatalyst material for the pilot plant, emphasizing the project's innovative approach.
  • The pilot plant, set to be completed by mid-2025, will test the PWS process using concentrated solar mirrors, marking significant progress in advancing the reactor technology readiness level.
Fortescue, a major resources company, has announced its commitment to the next phase of advancing green hydrogen technology in collaboration with Sparc Hydrogen in Adelaide, Australia. This partnership, primarily focused on Sparc's novel photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) technology, aims to address a key barrier to scaling the renewable hydrogen industry by utilizing sunlight, water, and a photocatalyst instead of relying on vast amounts of electricity. Fortescue's investment of $1.48 million secures a 36% stake in the joint venture, with Sparc and the University of Adelaide holding 36% and 28% ownership shares, respectively. The project's progress has positively impacted Sparc's stock, with a 9% increase attributed to milestones such as front-end engineering design and site planning approvals. The efficiency of the photocatalyst material remains a challenge, but the team is focused on demonstrating the plant's design and functionality. Equipment procurement is underway, and the pilot plant is expected to be operational by mid-2025, enabling the testing of PWS through concentrated solar mirrors. This significant milestone will advance the reactor technology readiness level and contribute to Fortescue's green hydrogen portfolio, reinforcing the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
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