Sparc Hydrogen secures $1.3M funding for next development phase - Australian Manufacturing

Sparc Hydrogen has secured a further A$1.3 million in funding from its three shareholders to advance the development and testing of its green hydrogen production technology in South Australia.

Sparc Technologies, Fortescue and Adelaide University have committed the additional equity funding on a pro-rata basis, according to an ASX announcement from Sparc Technologies.

Sparc Technologies will contribute approximately A$468,000 while retaining its 36 per cent shareholding in the joint venture.

The funding follows the initial operation of Sparc Hydrogen’s SHARP pilot facility and progress in laboratory testing under its collaboration with US-based SunHydrogen.

Sparc Technologies said the funding would support technology scale-up, further collaboration and commercial development, as well as an expanded strategy for sourcing materials intended to improve hydrogen production efficiency and economics.

Phase 1 testing of SunHydrogen’s water-splitting modules has been completed, with the company reporting solar-to-hydrogen efficiency above 10 per cent in laboratory conditions. Phase 2 will focus on optimising the integration of the technologies ahead of planned outdoor testing at the SHARP pilot facility in early 2027.

The company said the expanded materials strategy would also assess photoelectrochemical cells and integrated photovoltaic-electrolysis systems, alongside photocatalysts, as potential approaches to direct solar water splitting.

Sparc Technologies managing director Nick O’Loughlin said the investment reflected the shareholders’ continued support for the project.

“Over the past four and a half years, Sparc Hydrogen has progressed from laboratory research to operating a first-of-its-kind pilot facility,” O’Loughlin said.

He said the facility had provided a platform for collaboration with industry participants, including SunHydrogen, to develop high-efficiency water-splitting systems.

Disclaimer: This article was originally published by an independent third-party media outlet. All content, views and opinions remain those of the original publisher and author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sparc Hydrogen. Sparc Hydrogen does not claim ownership of the original content.

Read the full article on the original publisher’s website: https://www.australianmanufacturing.com.au/sparc-hydrogen-secures-1-3m-funding-for-next-development-phase/