SPARC TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (SPN) - Revolutionizing Green Hydrogen Production: Managing Director Nick O'Loughlin on Game-Changing Photocatalysis Technology and Strategic Collaborations

Unlock the future of energy with our latest episode featuring Nick O'Loughlin, Managing Director of Sparc Technologies Limited. Discover how Sparc's groundbreaking photocatalysis method is set to revolutionize green hydrogen production by eliminating the high electricity costs associated with traditional electrolysis. Learn about the myriad applications this game-changing technology opens up—from remote mining sites to urban factories—and how it promises to make hydrogen more accessible and affordable globally.

Nick also offers an exclusive update on Sparc's pilot plant, set to launch at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy campus. Gain insights into the collaborative efforts between Sparc Technologies, the University of Adelaide, and Fortescue, and what this partnership means for the future of green energy. With milestones on the horizon, including the completion of a front-end engineering and design study and the pilot plant's anticipated launch by late Q1 next year, this episode is packed with valuable information for anyone interested in the cutting edge of sustainable technology.

Transcript

Andrew Musgrave: 0:03

Welcome to another episode of ASX Briefs, and joining me again today is Nick O'Loughlin, the Managing Director of Sparc Technologies Limited. Spark Technologies is pioneering innovative and sustainable solutions in fields such as green hydrogen, graphene-based additives and sodium ion batteries. Nick, thanks for joining me again. Welcome back to the podcast.

Nick O'Loughlin: 0:22

Thanks

Andrew Musgrave: 0:23

Now, if we can start by referencing the green hydrogen technology you are developing, given the recent news around hydrogen, can you explain what differentiates Sparc from other green hydrogen proponents?

Nick O'Loughlin: 0:35

Sure Andrew. So the key difference with what Spark Hydrogen are doing is that we use a process called photocatalysis to produce green hydrogen, which does not require electricity. So a lot of the news in the media over the past few weeks around projects being delayed or stalled or cutbacks really goes to the cost of power, driving the cost of producing green hydrogen, and that is via the conventional method, which is electrolysis. So our process that we're developing within the Sparc Hydrogen joint venture is very different. It uses a process called photocatalysis, as I said, and it does not use power to split water. So we're decoupled from the cost of power in terms of the cost of producing hydrogen, which is a really important distinction to make.

Andrew Musgrave: 1:23

And what are the potential use cases for hydrogen produced by photocatalysis?

Nick O'Loughlin: 1:28

So that's a good question, Andrew, and the difference is that not having to be on a grid really drives the potential use cases for photocatalysis. So because we're not using the vast amounts of power as in electrolysis, we can support hydrogen production in remote sites, off-grid applications, mine sites, etc. So that brings in a large range of potential use cases which are not available to the incumbent technology. We can also use photocatalysis in grid applications as well and in more regional or urban areas, even alongside factories, etc. The mirror systems that we're looking to use have been used in those same locations, so the potential use cases are really quite diverse.

Andrew Musgrave: 2:18

And you've previously discussed the development of a pilot plant to accelerate the technology towards commercialization. So has there been any progress on this front and what are the next steps?

Nick O'Loughlin: 2:28

Yes, so we've just announced commencement of a feed study, so front-end engineering and design for the pilot plant. We've also announced that the pilot plant will be located at the University of Adelaide's campus to the north of Adelaide. It's an agricultural campus called Roseworthy and we have a site selected there and we'll be pushing forward with the studies on that basis and site approvals. That feed study will run for about three months and then we'll be at the point of time where we can make a construction decision. Construction is about six months or a bit less, so we're hoping to have our pilot up and running by late Q1 next year

Andrew Musgrave: 3:13

So can you describe the role each partner plays and how you see the JV going forward?

Nick O'Loughlin: 3:19

Sure, Andrew. So it's a really well-functioning joint venture and it really does have contributions from all the partners. So obviously Sparc Technologies we're the majority shareholder at the moment. We provide a lot of the project management of the JV. We provide input from a technology development standpoint and commercialization as well. Fortescue, obviously, with their position in green hydrogen in Australia and globally, add a lot of expertise, particularly on the technical side. They have a lot of smart engineers in their R&D team who support our project and they also provide support with IP management. The University of Adelaide is where the technology came from and all of the research activities are still done at the University of Adelaide in Greg Metha's lab. So we support through a research agreement a team of about seven there. They also provide world-class facilities that we wouldn't be able to access easily otherwise. So, as I said, there's really even contributions across the board from the partners.

Andrew Musgrave: 4:18

Okay, and just to wrap things up, what are some of the key milestones you're looking to achieve in the next 12 months?

Nick O'Loughlin: 4:24

Sure, Andrew. So we're looking to, as I said, complete the feed study and then, subject to a positive investment decision, go forward and construct that pilot plant. It will be a first of its kind facility and, as I said, it should be operating hopefully by the end of Q1 next year. So there'll be a lot of news flow around that over the next six to nine months and we really believe that the interest both from the market and from strategics will increase off the back of having that facility built. It'll be a facility that people can look and feel and touch, and that's really important when you're developing new, unique technology, such as what we're doing within Sparc Hydrogen.

Andrew Musgrave: 5:02

Okay, Nick. Well, thanks for coming in and speaking with us again. It's great to get a further update on the company and we look forward to further updates in the upcoming months.

Nick O'Loughlin: 5:12

Thanks

Andrew Musgrave: 5:13

That concludes this episode of ASX Briefs. Don't forget to subscribe and we look forward to catching you on our next episode.