Victorian Hydrogen Hub
Preparing industry and community for a hydrogen economy.
Led by Swinburne, in partnership with CSIRO and Germany’s ARENA2036, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) brings together researchers, industry partners and business to drive the implementation of the hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in decarbonising our economy, and VH2 has positioned itself as the go-to research platform for industry as it navigates this emerging sector.
Funded through the Victorian Government’s Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund, VH2 delivers strategic research for industry partners and has set the framework for adopting new hydrogen skill sets.
Backed by Swinburne’s prestige as a world-ranked university, VH2 is committed to fostering the next generation of skilled workers that Australia needs to grow the hydrogen sector. We're building on our international connections and strengths in design, digitalisation and Industry 4.0 to push the boundaries of what hydrogen can deliver – creating a sustainable future for all.
Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2)
Learn about how the Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) is harnessing design, digitalisation, and Industry 4.0 to help industry and the community prepare for a hydrogen economy.
Victorian Hydrogen Hub Partnership Prospectus
Our research themes
Through collaboration with our industry partners, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub is researching the capabilities of this energy source and its potential to build a thriving hydrogen economy over the next decade. Our research has featured in publications such as Materials Australia Magazine.
Port decarbonisation
Aviation
Heavy industries
(e.g. steel and ammonia)
Digital applications
Community acceptance
Light and heavy vehicles
Skills, training and education
Storage and pressure vehicles
Hydrogen demonstration projects
Testing, trialling and demonstrating new and emerging hydrogen technologies will enable the creation of sustainable manufacturing practices and the ability to store clean energy from renewable sources.
Hydrogen refuelling station
In late 2023, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station. The $2.5 million refuelling station uses green hydrogen produced with electricity from renewable sources that allows hydrogen cars to travel over 600km emissions-free on a full tank.
Located at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria, the station showcases the real-world application of hydrogen and will be used to demonstrate hydrogen’s utility for transport. It will also be used to test emerging hydrogen technology and train the next generation on the use of hydrogen stations to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive. VH2 will utilise the demonstration refuelling station to develop skills, training and education that will benefit the hydrogen industry in Australia and beyond.
The refuelling station can generate up to 20 kilograms of green hydrogen a day via electrolysis, and has a storage capacity of 80 kilograms, enough for more than 10 cars.
For more information about the hydrogen refuelling station, please email vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.
Hydrogen tanks and storage
In collaboration with the Institute for Aircraft Design at the University of Stuttgart’s ARENA2036 in Germany and Swinburne's Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub), the Victorian Hydrogen Hub has completed an analysis of existing hydrogen tank structures in passenger vehicles. As part of this research, the team analysed existing, in production hydrogen tank structures to create a representative, generic tank structure. Through this collaboration, the team worked on modification of this existing design with improved design methods and novel materials to incorporate solid, adsorbent hydrogen storage materials.
A generic tank structure was derived from available data, and adapted to accommodate metal-organic framework (MOF) hydrogen storage at low pressures. As a result of this project, a demonstrator vessel with the incorporated metal-organic framework material was manufactured.
The development of this hydrogen storage vessel has been a key activity for both the Victorian Hydrogen Hub and the AIR Hub. These two research hubs at Swinburne are collaborating to research and develop capacity for international hydrogen storage on aircraft and eVTOL vehicles.
Working with industry and the community
Many organisations are beginning to consider the role hydrogen will play in decarbonising our economy and how business can effectively capitalise on this opportunity. We are accelerating our efforts to build a pipeline of skilled, hydrogen-ready workers while strengthening our leading role as a strategic hydrogen research platform.
Partnering with VH2 will deliver a range of economic and social benefits, including:
- Developing hydrogen ready workforces
- Ability to initiate, shape and leverage valuable hydrogen research with real world applications
- A greater awareness and understanding of how to capitalise upon hydrogen trends and opportunities
- Access to our hydrogen refuelling facility and opportunities for mobility related projects and training.
Read about industry's research in the hydrogen space on CSIRO's HyResearch: Australian Hydrogen R&D Portal.
Hydrogen Skills Roadmap
A major initiative undertaken by VH2, the Hydrogen Skills Roadmap is a critical evaluation of the significant training and skills requirements needed to inform the educational needs of the hydrogen industry.
The report details the jobs impacted and skills required for the burgeoning hydrogen sector while collating existing education and training in Australia and overseas. It also predicts emerging jobs in various industries driven by green hydrogen production uptake in the coming decades.
VH2 is now focused on developing and implementing the recommendations of the roadmap, either directly or in partnership with complementary organisations. These include initiatives such as hydrogen train the trainer courses, micro-modules and industry engagement programs.
An updated version of the Hydrogen Skills Roadmap is currently under development and will be available at the end of 2024.
Creating a strong hydrogen workforce
We worked with some with the nation's experts to develop our Hydrogen Skills Roadmap, which provides insight into the current and future skills and training needs that the Australian hydrogen industry will need to prosper. Find out more.
Hydrogen Skills Roadmap
Marco Quaranta from IVECO Trucks spoke to hydrogen skills at the launch of the Victorian Hydrogen Hub's Hydrogen Skills Roadmap. See what some of our advisory council members think about the Hydrogen Skills Roadmap.
Other examples of our work
The Victorian Hydrogen Hub has secured over 14 industry partnerships, comprising the most active players in the Australian hydrogen sector such as ARUP, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), BOC and IVECO to name a few.
Our key projects with industry partners include:
- study into the total cost of ownership (TCO) for hydrogen vehicles
- evaluation of a full supply chain simulation for hydrogen vehicles
- systemic review on the application of hydrogen in steel manufacturing
- investigation on the impact of hydrogen direct reduced iron (DRI) on melting in an electric furnace
- assessment on community acceptance of hydrogen for electrolyser projects
- modelling and site selection for an ASX-listed company looking to establish a hydrogen producing site
- technoeconomic analysis of a major hydrogen infrastructure study
- scoping workshops and research for a leading port operator.
Our industry contacts extend globally. The Victorian Hydrogen Hub has developed international partnerships through a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Sarawak, Malaysia and the NEXT Group, Korea. We have also established a partnership with R&D organisations in Germany.
For more information, please email vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.
The Victorian Hydrogen Hub’s Hydrogen Readiness Program provides businesses with comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge about the hydrogen economy in a systematic and holistic way.
Through webinars, in-person discovery workshops and networking opportunities, we’re helping businesses across all industries think differently about the challenges and opportunities associated with hydrogen – preparing them to transition to a hydrogen economy.
Throughout these interactive sessions, participants will engage in a powerful combination of practical exercises including case studies and Q&As to absorb in-depth information from our world-class researchers in a short period. Topics include:
- Demystifying hydrogen
- The demand side of hydrogen
- The supply side of the equation
- Social licensing and communication
To discover how you can participate in the program, please email vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.
Academic and government research reveals a widespread lack of knowledge around hydrogen, its properties and its uses. Broader interest in hydrogen has increased significantly over the past few years, which poses substantial implications for households and small businesses as the hydrogen economy develops.
Despite the significance of hydrogen and the impacts it may have on the lives of energy consumers, barriers to accessible educational and informational materials persist. To combat this, we have run five interactive webinars in 2022, reaching over 1,700 audiences. The webinars include:
- Advancing hydrogen in mobility with Engineers Australia
- What is green hydrogen?
- Manufacturing Futures Forum: VH2 making hydrogen a reality
- Developing a green hydrogen economy in Australia
- Decarbonising steel industries using hydrogen energy
The Victorian Hydrogen Hub is committed to boosting public understanding and community engagement in order to advance a hydrogen economy. We are currently working with industry, PhD, master and undergraduate students to research:
- the use of information technology to make hydrogen technology demonstrators widely available and accessible
- stakeholders’ views to identify their hydrogen information needs and to support Australian public’s capacity in making informed decisions about hydrogen
- the inclusion of and equity for vulnerable energy customers impacted by hydrogen blending
- public understanding of different hydrogen generation technologies (e.g. green, grey and blue hydrogen)
- public acceptance of hydrogen and its contingency on the underpinning generation technology
On 6 April 2022, Research Fellow Dr Kim Beasy presented on hydrogen technologies to Year 11 and 12 students at Hobart College. The discussion on how green hydrogen would feature in Australia's agenda of reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energies was important in building an appetite among young people for working in and with hydrogen technologies.
We are also connecting with younger audiences as the next generation is crucial in preparing for the hydrogen economy. People aged 18 to 24 – the main age group among Swinburne students – will be instrumental in creating sustainable manufacturing practices and storing clean energy from renewable sources in their future jobs.
To engage with this segment, the Victorian Hydrogen Hub has participated in activities such as Swinburne's Welcome Back Week – a two-day in-person event to engage with current and prospective students to excite this next generation about the future of hydrogen.
We shared how hydrogen could be used to power vehicles, toys and barbecues. The CSIRO hydrogen vehicle was displayed with a CSIRO representative on hand to answer questions. We also conducted interview to gauge the public perception of hydrogen vehicles.
For more information, please email vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.
The Victorian Hydrogen Hub is focused on supporting industry in the exploration and implementation of a decarbonised future. Through our student engagement programs, our talented students assist businesses in their transition to a hydrogen economy by discovering and leveraging new opportunities in the renewables and hydrogen markets.
These comprehensive student engagement programs include:
- hydrogen-related projects supported by our PhD, Masters students and Research Fellows
- access to PhD interns who work directly with organisations on identified hydrogen projects over a three to six-month period
- Professional Placements for our Bachelor degree students over a six or 12-month period
- short-term (12-week) accreditation placements for Bachelor of Engineering students
For more information, please email vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.
Want to learn more about hydrogen?
The Victorian Hydrogen Hub runs lectures, webinars and forums on timely topics such as green hydrogen economy, hydrogen readiness and emerging hydrogen technologies presented by various experts.
Stay up to date with the Victorian Hydrogen Hub
Our highlights
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Exploring international opportunities
Swinburne has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sarawak Government in Malaysia to develop their hydrogen economy.
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The hydrogen-powered car is alive
Demand for hydrogen fuel cell cars increased by 84 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, when 8,400 fuel cell vehicles found new owners.
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Hy Resource
A collaborative knowledge sharing resource supporting the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry
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"ARUP saw the potential to align our real-world industry delivery with the VH2 goals of skills development. Together we are investigating the infrastructure needs of the Australian hydrogen economy through key modelling and analysis. "
Patrick Gorr , Principle, Infrastructure, ARUP
Our people
Our latest news
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- Technology
- Science
- Sustainability
Swinburne and CSIRO launch state-of-the-art renewable hydrogen refuelling station
Swinburne University of Technology and CSIRO have launched a state-of-the-art clean hydrogen refuelling station, purpose-built for enabling hydrogen research.
Thursday 23 November 2023 -
- Technology
- Aviation
Swinburne’s AIR Hub achieves hydrogen flight
Swinburne University of Technology’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) has successfully completed the first flight of an Australian-developed hydrogen fuel cell electric powered VTOL drone.
Tuesday 24 October 2023 -
- University
- Aviation
New AIR Hub partnership driving innovation and industry engagement
Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub has partnered with the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute’s (ASMI’s) APR.Intern program to increase uptake in aerospace PhD internship projects by mid 2024.
Thursday 27 April 2023 -
- Aviation
Australian-first hydrogen drone to turn the skies green
Swinburne’s AIR Hub has received $1.3 million from the Australian Government to develop Australia’s first hydrogen propelled drone.
Wednesday 09 November 2022 -
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Innovative hydrogen research to advance sustainable steel
Swinburne’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) is working to decarbonise the steel industry, using hydrogen to make it more sustainable.
Tuesday 08 November 2022 -
- Sustainability
- Aviation
Global leaders use hydrogen to reduce aviation emissions
Swinburne’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) and Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) are collaborating with industry leaders to create hydrogen storage tanks for aerospace.
Monday 10 October 2022
Our events
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Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101
What is hydrogen? How is it applied in daily life? Why is it important? And, most importantly, how does it impact your future?
Register now (Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101) -
Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101
What is hydrogen? How is it applied in daily life? Why is it important? And, most importantly, how does it impact your future?
Register now (Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101) -
Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Engineering
Social representation of hydrogen
In this presentation, Dr Kim Beasy and Dr Julian Oldmeadow look at social representations of hydrogen, consider how hydrogen can mean different things to different people and what this might mean in moving the hydrogen agenda forward.
Register now (Social representation of hydrogen) -
Research
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Business
Decarbonising steel industries using hydrogen energy
In this presentation, Dr Admmad will outline the possible routes to decarbonise the steel industry and the technoeconomic of hydrogen integrated steel manufacturing.
Register now (Decarbonising steel industries using hydrogen energy) -
Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Business
Developing a green hydrogen economy in Australia
Discover how Australia's hydrogen economy will evolve by 2050.
Register now (Developing a green hydrogen economy in Australia) -
Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Business
Manufacturing Futures Forum: VH2 making hydrogen a reality
This monthly forum will provide a platform to explore research capabilities and opportunities for collaboration in Manufacturing.
Register now (Manufacturing Futures Forum: VH2 making hydrogen a reality)
Other initiatives
These initiatives are funded through the Victorian government's Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund.
Looking for more information?
Whatever your query is, get in touch with us on vichydrogenhub@swinburne.edu.au.