Concentrated Solar Thermo-Photocatalytic Water Splitting

R&D Focus Areas:
Photochemical and photocatalytic processes

Lead Organisation:
University of Adelaide

Partners:
Sparc Hydrogen, Sparc Technologies, Fortescue Future Industries, Flinders University

Status:
Active

Start date:
January 2022

Completion date:
June 2026

Key contacts:
Professor Greg Metha: greg.metha@adelaide.edu.au

Funding:
Direct funding by industry partners

Project total cost:
AUD$4.5 million cash funding

Project summary description:
Sparc Hydrogen is developing next generation green hydrogen technology using a process known as photocatalytic water splitting (PWS). This process is an alternative to producing green hydrogen via electrolysis, using only sunlight, water and a photocatalyst. Sparc Hydrogen’s patent pending solar reactor is demonstrated to improve the efficiency of PWS to separate hydrogen from water. Given lower infrastructure requirements, and energy use, if successful, the ‘Sparc Green Hydrogen’ process has the potential to deliver a cost competitive advantage over electrolysis driven by renewable energy.

Related publications and key links:
www.sparchydrogen.com

Higher degree studies supported:
Two PhD students are supported by this project.

 

April 2023