The Victorian Government is accelerating the development of Victoria’s renewable hydrogen sector by establishing a Victorian network of 4 hydrogen clusters, the largest state-based cluster network in Australia.

The clusters will help Victoria build a thriving hydrogen economy and promote Victoria as an ideal place to invest and deliver hydrogen projects.

What is a hydrogen technology cluster?

Clusters bring businesses, universities, innovators, local and state government agencies, and communities together to support and develop renewable hydrogen projects. Members collaborate on critical research, deliver pilot projects in different business settings, or work together to build the supply chains needed to support a hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen technology clusters will:

  • make Victoria more attractive to investors and hydrogen businesses by building strong, established networks to access project ideas, funding opportunities and expertise
  • create awareness and understanding of the benefits of renewable hydrogen amongst their local communities
  • support physical renewable hydrogen hubs in the future.

The Victorian clusters also work with counterparts in other states, through NERA’s industry-led Hydrogen Technology Cluster Australia (H2TCA), to build a strong national reputation for Australian renewable hydrogen technology and expertise.

Read more about the Victorian hydrogen clusters (DOCX, 684.3 KB)

Victorian Hydrogen Technology Cluster Network

In partnership with National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), the Victorian Government is co-funding regional hydrogen technology clusters in Gippsland, Clayton, Greater Geelong, and the Mallee.

The Victorian Hydrogen Cluster Network brings Victoria’s clusters together under one umbrella, amplifying their impact and connecting hydrogen players across the state. The network facilitates information sharing and partnerships and strengthens ties between industry and the Victorian Government. Connecting directly with the national network, the Victorian network will help position Victoria’s hydrogen economy on an international stage and identify opportunities for cluster members.

Funding

The Victorian Government is contributing $315,000 to establish the 4 clusters in the Victorian regions that show strong potential for renewable hydrogen and to lead the establishment of the Victorian Hydrogen Technology Cluster Network. NERA is contributing $235,000 towards the 4 clusters and the cluster network, as well as $100,000 of in-kind support, through its Hydrogen Technology Cluster Australia program (H2TCA).

Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan

Establishing Victorian clusters will help Victoria deliver on the objectives set out in its Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Plan, released in February 2021. The plan sets out a blueprint for how the Victorian Government will lead and support outcomes to drive the development of a thriving renewable hydrogen sector in Victoria.

Clusters align with the plan’s Focus area 2: connecting the economy. This focus area aims to connect Victoria’s advantages and build scale, and link different areas and regions in the economy into a coordinated industry.

To contact the Victorian Government’s renewable hydrogen team about opportunities relating to the hydrogen clusters, please email emerging.energy@delwp.vic.gov.au.

Explore the Victorian clusters

Clayton cluster

Cluster name: Clayton H2

Lead organisation: GrapheneX Pty Ltd

Cluster manager: Matthew David

Members: GrapheneX, Swinburne University of Technology, CSIRO, ARENA2036 (Germany), Sumitomo, Cleantech Japan (Japan), Beyond H2, Hydrogen 2.0, Skai Energies, H2 Logistics Australia, Hydrogen Fuels Australia, Port Anthony Renewables, OCT Emissions Solutions, Lochard Energy

Website: Clayton H2

About

Clayton H2 brings scientists, industry partners and businesses together to create projects, attract government funding and mobilise investment in renewable hydrogen supply chain development. Its partnership with the Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) and CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission connects Clayton H2 into the wider Australian hydrogen ecosystem. Clayton H2 has also partnered with Germany’s ARENA2036 to connect the largest industry players in the hydrogen sector from Australia and Europe.

Goals

  • Identify industry partners that will support the development of hydrogen technologies and a hydrogen workforce
  • Bring together industry partners and scientists to develop hydrogen technologies
  • Showcase and champion Australian hydrogen capabilities and companies
  • Link Australian activities with international projects
Greater Geelong Cluster

Cluster Name: Geelong Hydrogen Technology Cluster

Lead organisation: Startupbootcamp Australia

Members: 29

Cluster lead: Abs Bulbuliya

Website: Geelong Hydrogen Technology Cluster

About

  • The Greater Geelong Hydrogen Technology Cluster aims to create a market for hydrogen demand and drive job creation and economic growth, with an initial goal of creating 100 start-ups and 1,000 jobs. The cluster will take advantage of the opportunities presented by the region's multiple education institutions and highly skilled workforce, deep ports and various hard to decarbonise industries.

Goals

  • Investigate hydrogen demand-side use-cases with a focus on hard to decarbonise sectors – such as manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and energy
  • Drive technical, business and innovation skills development through education, coaching, training, and mentoring
  • Connect with international Hydrogen Centres, start-ups, and scale-ups to identify and attract new and emerging technologies, business models, and expertise into the region
Gippsland Cluster

Cluster Name: Gippsland Regional Hydrogen Cluster

Lead organisation: Committee for Gippsland

Members: 70 organisations

Cluster lead: Patrick Gibbons

Website: Gippsland Hydrogen Cluster

About

The Gippsland Regional Hydrogen Cluster aims to support innovation, investment, industry development and a vibrant renewable hydrogen community, using the region's power generation infrastructure, diverse economic base, highly skilled workforce and natural resources.

Goals

  • Develop local knowledge and capability in relation to hydrogen production, transport and utilisation
  • Build support for investment in the hydrogen supply chain, including production and distribution
  • Use the region's resources such as the Morwell Innovation Centre, Carbon Technology Research Centre Laboratories and facilities at Federation University, and cluster members' facilities for new technology development
  • Foster development of integrated supply systems that drive down the cost of hydrogen
Mallee Technology Hydrogen Cluster

Cluster Name: Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster

Lead organisation: Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (The centre is an unincorporated joint venture between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and SuniTAFE.)

Members: Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, Mildura Regional Development, Regional Development Victoria, transport industry representatives

Cluster lead: Rebecca Wells

Website: Mallee Hydrogen Technology Cluster

About

The Mallee Cluster aims to create a local ecosystem to facilitate hydrogen generation and demand from both Australian and international businesses, making use of the Mallee’s rich solar resources, agricultural industry and strategic position on national and export transport routes.

Goals

  • Investigate renewable hydrogen generation using solar power and from biomass and renewable hydrogen's applications in agriculture and as transport fuel
  • Implement the Roadmap to a Hydrogen Economy – Mallee Region
  • Assist in developing the region as a hub for renewable hydrogen-fuelled transport and as a hydrogen exporter
  • Assess gas blending opportunities

Page last updated: 21/10/21