Today marks the launch of the funding programme for the German-Australian Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Incubator (HyGATE). Consortia involving at least two German and one Australian partner from science and industry can submit their ideas for pilot, trial, demonstration and research projects along the entire hydrogen supply chain until 3 May 2022.

Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger said:

“We want to use HyGATE to lay the foundations for a long-term partnership with Australia for climate-neutral energy carriers. The current situation demonstrates very clearly that we must become independent of Russian energy supplies. Thanks to its huge potential for renewable energy, Australia offers optimum conditions for the production of Green Hydrogen. The German-Australian supply chain for Green Hydrogen is an important step towards achieving climate neutrality and more independence. Moreover, we enjoy close and trusting relations. This year, we will mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Australia and Germany. We want to take advantage of this occasion to strengthen our good relations further.”

Dr Stefan Kaufmann, Innovation Commissioner for Green Hydrogen, added:

“HyGATE will enable German technology providers to transfer their innovations into pilot projects. This is how we are laying the foundations for new, sustainable business models in both countries. The Australian-German hydrogen partnership is a true win-win situation – for our two countries and for the sake of a climate-neutral energy system in the future.”

Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), said:

“International partnerships will be key in helping Australia and the world to achieve net zero emissions, while also ensuring that we open up new market opportunities for the production of renewable hydrogen and other products made through its use, such as low emissions metals. We look forward to seeing what innovative projects Australians bring to the table, and how they can combine with German technological expertise. The opportunities for renewable hydrogen in Australia are endless.”

Background:

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) developed the HyGATE funding measure as a joint instrument to fund research projects for the development and demonstration of innovative green hydrogen technologies along the entire value chain. The BMBF will provide up to 50 million euros for the initiative with the Australian side making up to 50 million Australian dollars available.

HyGATE is a central initiative under the umbrella of the German-Australian Hydrogen Accord that was signed by the two sides’ competent ministers in 2021 on the occasion of the G7 Summit in Cornwall with the aim of expanding the two countries’ hydrogen cooperation.

Importing relevant amounts of green hydrogen is a central issue for Germany with regard to reaching its climate goals and hence a key objective of its National Hydrogen Strategy. Due to Australia’s excellent conditions for the production of hydrogen from renewable energy, partnership with Australia is of key significance to Germany. At the same time, this cooperation provides German businesses with opportunities for exporting hydrogen technology and using demonstration projects to gain a foothold in the growing Australian hydrogen market.

Specifically, the projects funded within the framework of the HyGATE programme will aim to achieve the following goals: Demonstration of highly innovative technologies along the entire value chain, reduction of costs for renewable (green) hydrogen, development of an Australian-German supply chain for renewable hydrogen, support for cross-country cooperation, and pricing and price transparency with regard to green hydrogen.

Projects will be selected in a two-stage process with project outlines preceding the submission of full proposals. The deadline for the submission of project outlines is 3 May 2022.