Rio Tinto is providing industry insights and knowledge in a collaborative program to drive UNSW’s cutting-edge technology toward fulfilling its potential applications in repurposing organic waste into a resource for renewable hydrogen generation.
“Creating energy from waste that would have typically gone to landfill could support sustainable living in communities of all sizes right across Australia,” said Rachelle Doyle from Rio Tinto
“The implications of this research supported by the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) could be profound,” said A/Professor Jason Scott.
“A distinct advantage of our technology is how it can overcome the need for a clean water source to produce renewable hydrogen through electrocatalytic water splitting,” he said, noting that the demand for clean water for drinking and agricultural purposes is high in many regional and remote communities that often experience drought.
“If we can use a waste stream to generate hydrogen in place of the clean water, we can distribute electrocatalytic water splitting for clean energy in various locations, including in those that are remote or subject to arid weather conditions. A further benefit is waste stream management.”
Professor Rose Amal added that the TRaCE-supported research is important from a technical perspective because the two prototypes currently reside at TRL3-4.
“The TRaCE research will advance the capacity for commercialisation of these prototypes by facilitating their adaption to and assessment in a real-world environment,” she said. “And once the real-world-viability of the prototypes is established, we have a global opportunity for system scale up.”
“A longer-term societal benefit from this research collaboration could flow to communities worldwide whose waste streams could be used as a valuable local resource for producing clean energy in the form of renewable hydrogen,” added Ms Doyle.
Empowering future innovators
Professor Amal and A/Professor Scott are excited about the potential of their new collaboration with Rio Tinto to provide opportunities for young scientists and engineers to develop their skills and experience in the domain of commercialising clean energy technology.
“Importantly, they will enhance their understanding of research commercialisation by gaining valuable industrial and business perspectives,” said A/Professor Scott.
The TRaCE research also represents an opportunity for Rio Tinto employees and UNSW researchers to learn from each other.
“Through working with Professor Amal and A/Professor Scott, Rio Tinto has has been able to develop a research program that not only seeks to deliver innovation into society, but also deliver young professionals with the academic and business skills to deliver new and wonderful technology into the future,” said Ms Doyle.
Visit the Particle and Catalysis Research Group at UNSW for more information about Professor Amal and A/Professor Scott’s wide range of research solutions.
