Towards development of an Australian scientific roadmap for the hydrogen economy

This report provides an assessment of Australia's research strengths and gaps in hydrogen, compared to international efforts. This is intended to contribute towards the development of a scientific roadmap for the hydrogen economy.

It highlights the country’s potential to lead in areas such as CO₂ separation and sequestration, hydrogen storage materials, and distributed energy supply for remote areas.

The report also makes a number of recommendations for increased government support for hydrogen energy research and coordination. To support R&D, commercialisation and energy transition, the report suggests the development of an Australian Hydrogen Energy Initiative.

This report builds on The Academy’s symposium on Science on the way to a hydrogen economy on 5 May 2006, which brought together international and Australian scientists for a timely discussion about the research and development challenges for widespread and safe hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and distribution.