Sparc Technology today (Oct 27) confirmed that it has joined forces with the University of Adelaide to collaborate of the unique process which aims to produce commercially viable “ultra-green” hydrogen.

Once developed, the use of the technology would mean renewable energy hotspots, such as wind and solar farms, do not need to be exploiting for hydrogen production. As a result of this, the overall cost of hydrogen production is expected to be significantly lower.

Dr Stephen Rodda, Executive Director of Innovation and Commercial at the University of Adelaide, said, “This joint venture is a perfect example of the University of Adelaide’s internationally regarded research being brough to a commercial outcome, which we hope has benefits for industry and the community.

“We are proud to be the leading university involved in this venture, applying our research and innovation in responding to one of these great challenges of our times: the development of green energy solutions for our planet.”

Detailing the technology, the duo said it is important to note that an electrolyser is not required for hydrogen production with the thermo-photocatalysis.

Photocatalysis is the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst. In catalysed photolysis, light is absorbed by an adsorbed substrate. In photogenerated catalysis, the photocatalytic activity depends on the ability of the catalyst to create electron-hole pairs, which generate free radicals (hydrogen) able to undergo secondary reactions.

Photocatalytic water splitting is an artificial photosynthesis process with photocatalysis in a photoelectrochemical cell used for the association of water into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen, using light.

On the effort, Stephen Hunt, Executive Chairman of Sparc Technology, said, “This globally significant project offers a realistic pathway to achieving economically feasible green hydrogen energy and to advancing industry to net-zero. Developing additional graphene applications in the ultra-green hydrogen energy space is also a very important opportunity for Sparc.

“There are a multitude of positive attributes with this technology and Sparc is extremely excited to be entering this potentially game-changing UGH technology, alongside our partner, the University of Adelaide, and to develop it commercially for a greener world.”