Hadean Energy Secures $15 Mn Grant to Develop Low-Power Green Hydrogen Technology for Steelmaking

The funding will support a $30 million pilot project at industrial gas supplier BOC’s Western Port facility in Victoria, Australia. The project will test whether industrial waste heat can make green hydrogen production more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

$30 Million Pilot Plant to Supply Hydrogen to Steelmakers

ARENA will cover half of the pilot project's total cost through its $15 million grant. The facility is expected to produce up to 7 kilograms of hydrogen per hour for a nearby steelworks.

This output will meet approximately 85% of the hydrogen required for the steelmaking process known as annealing. This heat treatment process helps prevent steel surfaces from oxidising.

Technology Aims to Reduce Electricity Consumption by 30%

Hadean Energy is commercialising a tubular solid oxide electrolyser developed by researchers at Australia's national science agency, CSIRO. The technology uses ceramic tubes, electricity and heat to split steam into hydrogen and oxygen.

Unlike conventional electrolysers, Hadean's system uses waste heat already generated by industrial facilities. According to the company, this approach could reduce electricity consumption by around 30% compared with conventional hydrogen production systems.

Previous Prototype Tested at BlueScope Steelworks

In 2024, Hadean tested an early version of its technology at BlueScope's Port Kembla steelworks in New South Wales. The prototype operated for 1,000 hours and used less than 36 kilowatt-hours of electricity per kilogram of hydrogen by using steam supplied by the industrial facility.

The upcoming Victorian pilot will scale up the technology from approximately 1 kilowatt to between 200 and 300 kilowatts. The project will help evaluate its performance in an industrial environment and assess its potential for commercial use.

Funding and Industry Partnerships

CSIRO and corporate adviser RFC Ambrian launched Hadean Energy in 2023. RFC Ambrian's fund also invested $1.5 million in the company's seed funding round that year.

Hadean has additionally received financial support from RFC Ambrian, engineering partner Amarna Energy and private investors to cover its share of the initial design and engineering work.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said green hydrogen could help reduce emissions in industries that are difficult to electrify. He added that the pilot would provide important evidence about the technology's industrial performance and commercial potential.

About Hadean Energy

Hadean Energy is an Australian clean energy technology company established in 2023 as a spinout from CSIRO. Based at CSIRO's Clayton research precinct in Melbourne, the company is developing solid oxide electrolysis technology to produce green hydrogen using electricity and industrial waste heat.

Its technology aims to lower electricity requirements and support the use of hydrogen in steelmaking and other energy-intensive industries.

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