On March 10, the Australian and German governments jointly launched the HyGATE program, a hydrogen innovation and technology incubation program. It aims to promote cooperation between Australia and Germany to set up a hydrogen energy value chain between the two countries. Then they will find pilot, test and demonstration projects along the hydrogen supply chain.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is responsible for managing the deployment of the program in Australia. On the German side, the research institute Projektträger Jülich will carry out the program on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). And the HyGATE program is the first of three implement in the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Energy Agreement. The agreement, signed in 2021, clarifies the partnership between Australia and Germany for the emerging hydrogen economy.
Australia has the potential to become a major exporter of renewable hydrogen. Because it abundan renewable energy resources, low electricity costs and established resource industries. While heavily industrialized economy and high demand for energy means. It imported hydrogen will be an important tool for achieving its climate goals for Germay.
Therefore a green hydrogen supply chain between Germany and Australia is an important step towards climate neutrality and greater energy independence for both sides.