Sparc Technologies has commenced construction of Sparc Hydrogen’s pilot plant, a first-of-its-kind facility for photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus.
The initiative marks a significant step in the development of next-generation green hydrogen production, backed by joint venture partners Sparc Technologies, Fortescue Limited, and the University of Adelaide.
The pilot plant will serve as a research and development hub for commercialising PWS, a novel method of producing green hydrogen directly from water using sunlight and photocatalyst materials.
Unlike traditional electrolysis, PWS does not require renewable electricity sources or costly electrolysers, positioning it as a potential low-cost alternative for hydrogen production, Sparc said in an ASX announcement.
“It is very rewarding to see progress being made both at Roseworthy and in the factory towards delivering a globally leading facility for green hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting,” said Sparc Managing Director Nick O’Loughlin.
“In an environment where major challenges exist for hydrogen projects due to the high cost of power, the requirement for new solutions to unlock low-cost green hydrogen without relying on electrolysers has never been higher.”
Sparc Hydrogen has reported progress in Q1 2025, securing key milestones such as the execution of an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract with Incitias Pty Ltd, approval from the Light Regional Council, and the manufacturing of a linear Fresnel concentrated solar field in Europe, which is currently in transit.
The pilot-scale PWS reactors are also under production and will integrate with the off-the-shelf solar field upon arrival.
The technology behind PWS offers a direct solar-to-hydrogen pathway, reducing dependence on electricity and addressing cost barriers in green hydrogen production.
The facility will allow Sparc Hydrogen to independently test reactor designs and photocatalyst materials under real-world conditions.
According to Sparc, there are no known similar facilities for testing and scaling up PWS under concentrated solar conditions.
Key objectives of the pilot plant include advancing Sparc Hydrogen’s reactor technology, benchmarking catalyst performance, verifying thermal and production models, and establishing operational safety protocols.
The project is also expected to drive further patenting opportunities, with Sparc securing its first patent for the PWS reactor in January 2025 and additional reviews underway across 17 jurisdictions.
The pilot plant’s commissioning is scheduled for mid-2025. When operational, it aims to showcase the potential of concentrated solar-based hydrogen production.
