From green iron for the European steel industry to underground hydrogen storage: During a visit by Rahman Daiyan from the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) to the Salzgitter Hydrogen Campus, the focus was on the building blocks of a climate-neutral energy system.

During a joint workshop, partners from academia and industry exchanged views on current hydrogen and power-to-X activities in Germany and Australia.

One key focus was on the work being done in the ScaleH2 project. Among other things, activities related to the production of catalyst layers at the Fraunhofer IST were presented, using a cathode catalyst with a low platinum loading developed at UNSW.

Two technical presentations also explored key future topics in greater depth:

Green Steel Corridors: Potential for the export of hydrogen-produced green iron (DRI) from Australia to Europe | Florian Scheffler, Fraunhofer IST

Underground Hydrogen Storage: The role of geological hydrogen storage in ensuring supply security within a climate-neutral energy system | Veronika Brooks, IEG

In addition to UNSW Sydney and Fraunhofer IST, researchers from Fraunhofer IEG,
as well as representatives from Salzgitter AG and Whitecell Eisenhuth, had a part in the exchange.

The visit was made possible as part of the BMFTR-funded project “German-Australian Hydrogen Cooperation on Catalysts, Green Steel, and Sustainable Aviation.” The project aims to promote scientific exchange through reciprocal research visits.

We would like to thank all participants for the fascinating insights and discussions.