Sparc Technologies has made a major breakthrough in renewable energy development with the start of construction on its first hydrogen pilot plant , implementing photocatalytic water splitting technology. Located at the University of Adelaide ‘s Roseworthy Campus, this facility creates new opportunities for renewable hydrogen production without the need for electrolysis.
Sparc Hydrogen’s green hydrogen pilot plant
The project is being promoted by Sparc Technologies in partnership with Fortescue and the University of Adelaide . The PWS technology will use sunlight and a photocatalyst to generate green hydrogen without the need for external electricity or expensive electrolyzers.
During the first quarter of 2025, Sparc Hydrogen achieved the manufacturing of the linear Fresnel solar system in Europe, designed to maximize sunlight collection and optimize the efficiency of the PWS process, one of the most significant milestones.
In addition, an EPCM contract has been signed with Incitias , the engineering firm in charge of project management, and planning permission has been obtained from the Light Regional Council , allowing construction to begin. Manufacturing of the pilot-scale PWS reactors, essential for the direct conversion of solar energy to hydrogen, has begun, while contractors are being mobilized and on-site work begins.
Scheduled to begin in mid-2025, the facility will serve as a test platform to evaluate and refine PWS technology. Its goals include scaling the PWS reactor from TRL-5 to TRL-6 through operation under realistic concentrated solar power conditions, integrating the solar field with photocatalysis technology to validate its performance in renewable hydrogen production, and conducting comparative testing between different reactor designs and photocatalytic materials.
Sparc Hydrogen ‘s PWS technology stands out for its ability to generate green hydrogen without relying on expensive energy infrastructure. Unlike electrolysis, which requires a constant source of renewable electricity, photocatalytic water splitting harnesses direct sunlight, reducing production costs and increasing the scalability of the process.
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Source and photo: Sparc Hydrogen
