The first-of-its-kind pilot plant will employ a novel approach by producing green hydrogen directly from water and sunlight, without relying on electrolysers or electricity grids.

It’s being spearheaded by Adelaide-based and ASX-listed Sparc Technologies, which today told shareholders that Fortescue and the University of Adelaide had formally committed to proceeding with Stage 2 of the Sparc Hydrogen joint venture.

Stage 2 activities will focus on pilot plant construction at Roseworthy and reactor testing, as well as ongoing laboratory testing of photocatalytic water splitting (PWC) reactors.

“Sparc Hydrogen believes that the pilot plant will represent a globally leading facility for R&D and commercialisation of PWS reinforcing Sparc Hydrogen’s first mover position in this emerging direct solar to hydrogen technology,” Sparc Technologies said

For Fortescue, it reaffirms the company’s interest in hydrogen energy projects, having last year put its ambitious green energy goal – to produce 15 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030 – on hold. That move resulted in the loss of 700 jobs at the company.

“Fortescue is proud to continue its support of Sparc Hydrogen and its innovative photocatalytic water splitting technology,” Fortescue director of research and development Michael Dolan said.

“This Australian innovation has the potential to make green hydrogen an even more competitive energy resource by decoupling its cost from the cost of green power.