Sparc Hydrogen pilot plant opening ceremony
by Crispin Savage
A first in green hydrogen reactor technology was launched today at the University of 亚洲色吧鈥檚 Roseworthy campus by Sparc Hydrogen Pty Ltd, a start-up company founded to translate research developed by Professor Greg Metha. Sparc Hydrogen is a joint venture between Fortescue, Sparc Technologies and the University of 亚洲色吧. Representatives from each partner joined the ceremony.
The Sparc Hydrogen Advanced Research Pilot (SHARP) is a test bed for photocatalytic water splitting (PWS), a process which harnesses the sun鈥檚 energy to extract (green) hydrogen from water, without the need for electrolysers powered by electricity 鈥 a potential game-changer in the global effort to deliver scalable, low-cost, renewable hydrogen.
SHARP will accelerate the development of Sparc Hydrogen鈥檚 patented PWS reactor technology and will enable real-world evaluation of PWS catalysts being developed globally. In bringing together the world鈥檚 best reactor and catalyst technologies, and invaluable operational experience, SHARP represents a huge step forward in solar hydrogen commercialisation.
鈥淭he SHARP plant at the University of 亚洲色吧鈥檚 Roseworthy campus will allow us to independently and concurrently test different reactor designs and photocatalyst materials,鈥 Professor Metha explained.
鈥淭his next-generation photocatalytic water splitting technology has major advantages over electrolysis as it offers the potential to produce low cost, scalable green hydrogen and heat without significant electricity use,鈥 he said.
A commissioning ceremony held at the University鈥檚 Roseworthy campus today, Tuesday 24 June, marked the fruition of years of University research and months of work undertaken by partners Sparc Technologies, the University of 亚洲色吧 and integrated green technology, energy and metals company, Fortescue Limited.
鈥淭he SHARP plant represents a first-of-its-kind demonstration and R&D facility globally for photocatalytic water splitting and is a key step towards commercialisation of the technology,鈥 said Nick O鈥橪oughlin, Managing Director of Sparc Technologies.
鈥淚n 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,鈥 Nick said.
PWS is often referred to as direct solar-to-hydrogen technology as it avoids the need to convert solar energy into electricity to split water via electrolysis.
In photocatalysis, the sun鈥檚 energy is directed onto a highly specialised photocatalyst material, which forms reactive sites that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen without electrolysis.
鈥Despite decades of research and notable advancements, the efficiency of PWS remains a key challenge to reaching commercialisation. The SHARP pilot plant aims听to improve the economics of producing green hydrogen using PWS through driving increased efficiencies within modular and scalable concentrated solar infrastructure.
The SHARP pilot demonstrates the power of partnership in pushing the boundaries of green hydrogen innovation. Photocatalytic water splitting has long held promise and this project is a step toward unlocking its commercial potential.Michael Dolan, Director of R&D Fortescue
In the lead up to commissioning of the plant, front-end engineering and design was undertaken by leading global engineering and commercial service provider Incitias, while Sparc Hydrogen鈥檚 photocatalytic water splitting reactor, which is being commissioned using photocatalysts developed by Shinshu University in Japan, was developed at the University of 亚洲色吧鈥檚听School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences.
鈥淪parc Hydrogen demonstrates how the University of 亚洲色吧 is working with industry partners to develop new pathways for the translation of world-class research conducted here in South Australia,鈥 said Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of 亚洲色吧."
"This project aims to respond to one of the great challenges of our times: the development of green energy solutions for a sustainable future for society,鈥 Professor Middelberg said.
Media release written by Crispin Savage and first published on the听亚洲色吧 Newsroom website, June 24, 2025
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Media Contacts:
Crispin Savage, Manager, News and Media, The University of 亚洲色吧. Mobile:听+61 (0)481 912 465, Email:听crispin.savage@adelaide.edu.au
Simon Pitaro, NWR Communications. Mobile:听+61 (0)409 523 632, Email:听spitaro@nwrcommunications.com.au
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