Construction will begin this year on Australia’s first facility to produce the Nedstack fuel cell, a critical component of the only commercial-ready hydrogen energy storage system in the world.
Known as the LAVO System, the hydrogen energy storage system is designed for everyday use and is suitable for both residential homes and businesses.
Preparations for development of the manufacturing facility are already underway.
Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year with completion by the first quarter of 2022.
Production is planned for later in the same year.
The facility is expected to deliver 200 jobs during construction, 50 positions once operational and contribute $30 million to the local economy.
It is being built in the City of Springfield which is one of the largest master-planned privately constructed cities in Australia, and is located 28km outside of Brisbane, Queensland.
LAVO, an Australian technology and lifestyle company powered by hydrogen, and Springfield City Group (SCG), the master developer of the Springfield area, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to deliver innovative and sustainable energy solutions to the City of Springfield and surrounding areas.
The federal government has identified the City of Springfield as a nation building project.
More than $18 billion has been invested into the project by public and private stakeholders with the population of Springfield set to more than double in population by 2030.
Clean energy is central to SCG’s vision for Springfield, which aims to become a net exporter of energy by 2038. LAVO will partner with SCG on initiatives to deliver on this vision.
This is also Australia’s first fuel cell production line which will also be produced for local industry.
LAVO and SCG have agreed to work together to identify co-development opportunities in Springfield City, including deployment of LAVO technology across residential, industrial and commercial environments.
This includes integration of LAVO technology into utility scale solar farms developed by SCG.
Deployment of the LAVO System in Springfield City is expected to begin in July 2021 as part of the LAVO pilot program.
The pilot program is supported by a co-funding grant awarded to LAVO via the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) to establish and commercialise local manufacturing capability of the LAVO System.
LAVO executive director, Alan Yu, said the company is working closely with production and manufacturing partners to bring this technology into homes by July 2021.
The City of Springfield is aiming to deliver a net zero energy target by 2038.
LAVO first launched in Australia in September 2020 and is driving jobs growth in the advanced manufacturing sector.