Hycel
Hycel
Hycel is focussed on safely testing, manufacturing, and training in hydrogen application technologies, located at Warrnambool in south-west Victoria.
| Research participants:
Lead participant: Deakin University, Victoria, Australia |
Classification:
Research and development
|
Status:
In progress |
Estimated cost:
AUD$20 million |
| Research partners:
PACCAR Australia (Kenworth), Warrnambool Bus Lines, Future Fuels CRC, South West TAFE, AusNet Services, Mondo Power, ACCIONA, Warrnambool City Council, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (India). |
Main supply chain category:
End use (mobility, transportation/distribution, industrial uses) |
Location:
Victoria, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$2 million – Australian Federal Government: December 2019 AUD$9 million – Victorian Government (Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund): June 2021 AUD$7 million – Australian Federal Government (Strategic University Reform Fund): July 2021 |
Research description
With a focus on demand-driven hydrogen usage, Hycel is developing pathways and technologies in the areas of transport, pipelines, education and social licence.
Currently in the latter stages of the 18 month Establishment phase, as at July 2021, Hycel is fully funded having received AUD$9 million in Commonwealth Government funding in two tranches (in December 2019 and July 2021) and a further AUD$9 million in Victorian Government funding, announced in June 2021. Deakin University has contributed AUD$2 million, to create AUD$20 million overall program value.
Hycel’s research projects currently include PEM fuel cell manufacturing and testing for heavy vehicles; fuel cell application pilots; refuelling network optimisation; gas infrastructure safety and compatibility; hydrogen gas monitoring systems; and social licence evaluation. Hycel is also supporting the development of training, social licence, and safety standards pathways.
With full funding, the Technology phase will see the creation of the Hycel Technology Hub at Deakin Warrnambool in south-west Victoria. The precinct will be a regional hub of hydrogen application expertise and include a fuel cell assembly and testing plant for fuel cell prototyping and testing at scale. The facility will also support training and hydrogen appliance testing. Construction is scheduled to begin at the Warrnambool campus in the latter part of 2021, with completion anticipated towards the end of 2022.
In November 2020, it was announced that installation of the Hydrogen Testbed project was completed at Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus, within the Hycel Technology Hub precinct. The Future Fuels CRC supported project aims to better understand the suitability of present Australian gas infrastructure for transporting hydrogen.
Hycel is supported by an External Advisory Board, which comprises members from state and federal government, industry, and research institutions.
Updated: July 2021