The conclusion of negotiations on an ambitious free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia creates a new framework for even closer economic, technological and scientific cooperation. The agreement not only strengthens rules-based trade and opens up new opportunities for European companies in a dynamically growing market but also focuses on strategic future-oriented areas such as critical raw materials, resilient supply chains, sustainability and climate-friendly technologies. Complemented by the announced security and defence partnership and the planned negotiations on Australia’s association with ‘Horizon Europe’, bilateral cooperation is gaining further depth.
Against this backdrop, the HZwo/HSA: Australia–German Hydrogen and Energy Forum: Research and industry hand in hand sends a strong signal for international cooperation in the field of hydrogen and sustainable energy. The forum brings together stakeholders from research, industry and politics in Australia, Germany and Saxony to tap into joint innovation potential, promote technology transfer and develop new partnerships along sustainable energy and value chains.
The governments of Australia and of the Federal Republic of Germany share the common goal of reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonising their economies. Both countries are committed to developing a national green hydrogen economy. The joint long-term goal is to make green hydrogen economically viable. Australia and Germany therefore support the establishment of a global green hydrogen economy. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for German companies to build up business with partners from Australia, for example in the field of component manufacturing for fuel cells and electrolysers, Battery technologies, in plant engineering and in the production, transport and storage of green hydrogen.
Key facts:
Australia: Promotion of large-scale projects for the production and export of green hydrogen; establishment of international supply chains
European Union: Target of 10 million tonnes of own hydrogen production and 10 million tonnes of imports by 2030 (‘Fit for 55’, EU Hydrogen Strategy).
Germany: National hydrogen strategy with a focus on international partnerships, expansion of electrolysis capacities and technology exports.
The Australian–German Hydrogen and Energy Forum: Research and industry hand in hand“ being organised jointly by Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, Future Energy Exports CRC and HZwo e.V. from Saxony (Germany) is intended to give participants an initial insight into establishing international business relationships with Australia/ Germany and an overview of the topic of ‘Green hydrogen in Australia’.
HZwo is based in Saxony, Germany and is one of the leading European innovation clusters dedicated to accelerating the use of hydrogen in Germany and globally. We work in partnership with over 170 global industrial and academic partners across the entire hydrogen value chain. This includes information exchange, educational partnerships, new technology development, technology exchange and financial support to accelerate the development of hydrogen-related projects. Following the recent signing of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia, we are now seeking to expand our involvement with companies in Australia, working at all levels from education through to project funding to grow the hydrogen industry.
If you are working in this area, we want to connect with you and find out how we can work together to advance your projects and grow your business. We look forward to connecting with you at the HZwo/HSA: Australia-Germany Hydrogen and Energy Forum: Research and industry hand in hand, which will be held at Curtin University on 7th September this year.
Agenda
09:00 – Arrival | Registration
09:30 – Session 1
Welcome to Country
Noongar Elder (TBC)
Introduction from Curtin University
Harlene Hayne, Vice Chancellor Curtin University | Lindy Fitzgerald, Dean of Research, Curtin University
Welcome and overview of day
Peta Ashworth, Curtin University | Gert Schlegel, HZwo e.V.
Saxony: Germany with that certain something!
Kerstin Leisering, Saxony Trade and Invest GmbH
German delegation introduction: 10 x 3 min pitches
Moderator: Gert Schlegel, HZwo e.V.
11:15 – Coffee break
11:45 – Session 2
Presentation by Fraunhofer IKTS
Matthias Jahn, Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
GreenTech Hub: Compute at the edge innovation challenge
Jason McFarlane, GreenTech Innovation Hub
Australian participants introduction: 10 x 3 min pitches
Moderator: Peta Ashworth
13:10 – Lunch
14:10 – Session 3
From system planning to energy control: how net zero technology can increase electrical power resilience while reducing overall energy cost
Tom George, move technology GmbH
Building from scratch: Germany’s new Hydrogen Innovation Centre (HIC)
René Hahn, HIC gGmbH – Hydrogen Innovation Center
15:10 – Coffee break
15:40 – Session 4
Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub
Glenn Byrne, Future Energy Exports CRC
Get involved with HZwo e.V.
Gert Schlegel, HZwo e.V.
Key takeaways and next steps
Peta Ashworth, Curtin University | Kerstin Leisering, Saxony Trade and Invest GmbH
16:30 – Networking drinks
Register now!
