Perth-based startup Carbon280 has raised AU$16.6 million (US$10.79 million) to build a pilot plant aimed at developing new hydrogen storage and transport technology in Kwinana, Western Australia.

The funding includes an AU$11.1 million (US$7.21 million) seed round led by Woodside Energy, with participation from the UK’s Hive Energy and a Singaporean family office, along with federal R&D rebates.

The facility features laboratory space and a 100kW prototype designed to test Carbon280’s Hydrilyte technology at an industrial scale.

Hydrilyte is described by the company as a liquid suspension that stores hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure, potentially allowing use of existing fuel transport infrastructure.

Carbon280 said the technology could also separate hydrogen from helium, a challenge in natural hydrogen projects.

The company said that successful demonstration at Kwinana would support the economics of hydrogen use in industries such as green steel, aviation fuel, and methanol production.

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🔗 Source: SmartCompany

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Hydrogen storage remains a decade-long engineering bottleneck despite the fuel’s energy advantages

Carbon280’s funding highlights an industry challenge that has persisted for years, storing hydrogen efficiently and safely.

Hydrogen contains nearly three times more energy per kilogram than gasoline at 120 MJ/kg, but its extremely low density at room temperature creates major storage problems 2.

Current solutions require either high-pressure tanks operating at 350-700 bar or cryogenic storage at -252.8°C, both expensive and complex approaches that limit widespread adoption 2.

The volume-based energy density tells the real story: liquid hydrogen delivers only 8 MJ/L compared to gasoline’s 32 MJ/L, meaning much larger storage systems are needed 2.

These technical constraints force hydrogen vehicles to use large, heavy cylindrical tanks that occupy significant space and require high energy costs for compression 3.

Carbon280’s Hydrilyte technology directly addresses this bottleneck by enabling storage at ambient temperature and pressure, potentially eliminating the infrastructure complexity that has hindered hydrogen adoption.

2️⃣ Energy giants are strategically investing in hydrogen storage solutions as the sector consolidates

Woodside Energy’s leadership of Carbon280’s $11.1 million seed round reflects how established energy companies are positioning themselves in hydrogen storage innovation.

This aligns with broader industry trends where oil and gas companies are making strategic investments in hydrogen technologies that could integrate with existing fuel infrastructure 1.

The involvement of international players like UK-based Hive Energy and a Singaporean family office demonstrates global interest in breakthrough storage technologies that promise cost advantages 1.

Carbon280’s claim that Hydrilyte can work with existing pipelines, tankers, and ships represents the kind of infrastructure compatibility that would attract energy sector investment.

For established energy companies, backing ambient-temperature storage solutions offers a pathway to leverage their existing distribution networks rather than building entirely new cryogenic or high-pressure infrastructure.

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