Hydrogen as a Link Between Research and Industry
Australia is undergoing a comprehensive transformation of its energy and economy, expanding the use of natural resources to support a climate-friendly industrial sector. Clean hydrogen is a promising energy source for industry, and Australia’s strategic partnerships are helping to promote large-scale production capacity for green hydrogen. In 2022, for example, Australia and Japan completed the world’s first shipment of liquid hydrogen.
Against this backdrop, H.E. Elizabeth Day and Dylan Walsh learned more about power-to-x technologies at OST – including processes that convert electricity from renewable sources into long-term storable energy carriers such as hydrogen or methanol. These technologies are essential for balancing fluctuations in electricity generation from wind and solar energy.
Hands-On Research with International Impact
Representatives from the IET Institute for Energy Technology and the SPF Institute for Solar Technology presented OST’s applied research activities to the Australian delegation. The visit also highlighted specific labs such as the Smart Energy Lab and the Sensor Innovation Hub. The delegation showed particular interest in how CO₂-based power-to-x processes are being implemented in industry – for example, at the waste incineration plant in Horgen, where CO₂ is used as a resource.
Representatives from OST’s research departments, along with President Prof. Dr. Daniel Seelhofer and Prof. Dr. Knut Siercks, Dean of the School of Technology, introduced Day and Walsh to OST’s practice-oriented approach. The university works especially in the technical field with infrastructure at an industrial level, preparing students from various engineering disciplines for their careers through practical, hands-on learning.
More Exchange Between Australia and OST
In addition to research, the focus was on expanding exchange programs between Swiss and Australian universities. Currently, one Australian student is enrolled at OST, while seven OST students are spending a semester in Australia. The main challenges identified for increasing Australian student participation were the cost of living in Switzerland and the long distance.
Ambassador H.E. Elizabeth Day emphasized: “Progress can only be achieved together, and both sides benefit from the partnership-based exchange of knowledge and people between our countries.” After the visit, both parties agreed: Academic exchange and research collaboration should continue to be strengthened.