Capability

Approximately 60 individual Research Focus Areas (RFAs), covering the complete hydrogen value chain, are available for use in completing a hydrogen R&D project description for HyResearch.  A listing of all RFAs and their categorisation by value chain key element can be found in the document below.

Each project is allowed use of up to a maximum of three RFAs in describing aspects of the value chain under study, as research results may impact more than one part of the value chain.

Heat maps of research activity are developed for each key element of the hydrogen value chain, at both an aggregated level (for say Production or Storage) and at a detailed level showing research activity/intensity by individual RFAs.   

The heat maps provide a colour coded hierarchy of the number of times an individual RFA is listed by projects in HyResearch as a focus area of research.  Three heat map work sheets are displayed:

• Aggregate totals for each of the hydrogen R&D value chain key elements (and includes a ‘Whole chain’ element to account for projects whose activities span the complete value chain) 
• For each key element of the value chain, Individual totals for each RFA included under that element (a filter system toggles between key elements). An exception is made for the key element ‘Cross-cutting’ where a second order aggregation is used in view of the considerable number of individual RFAs available under this element). 
• Detailed display of each of the Cross-cutting individual RFAs.

The heat maps further showcase hydrogen-related research being conducted by Australian research institutions, via use of the Lead Organisation indicator included in HyResearch project descriptions. Research activity with a company identified as a Lead Organisation forms a small part of the HyResearch data set at present and for heat map purposes is aggregated under an Industry heading.

The heat map mechanism, based on the HyResearch Projects dataset, is best viewed as a directional guide of Australia’s hydrogen-related R&D landscape. While based on well over 200 project entries, it will not capture all research underway: for example, many activities may be of a confidential nature, any given institution’s active hydrogen research portfolio many cover many faculties/departments, and research activities may be underway in Institutions not yet included in HyResearch.  It should also be noted that in developing the heat maps, a ‘simple’ data interrogation is used, with no adjustment for stage of project, size of project funding or nature of the project (e.g. desktop vs laboratory).

HyResearch Projects information is intended to be updated at regularly intervals, with the heat maps being updated at the same time. The assistance of the research community will significantly aid this process and of the further development/maintenance of HyResearch functionality.

The heat maps do not allow for a direct linkage back to specific projects information (e.g., which projects have identified Electrolysis as a RFA).  Specific information on key project parameters can be obtained through use of the search/filter facility of the HyResearch Projects page.

Several infographics based on the value chain heatmaps are included. They employ a hub and spoke format to provide graphical images of the information presented in the heat map (and is done at high-level of only value chain key elements not including Lead Organisation).  

The infographics do not allow for a direct linkage back to specific projects information (e.g., which projects have identified Electrolysis as a RFA).  Specific information on key project parameters can be obtained through use of the search/filter facility of the HyResearch Projects page.