Hydrogen storage technology developed by University of NSW to make new Riverina solar farm cutting edge

The $10.7 million project is one of 28 being developed across NSW by the Providence Asset Group with a further two expected to be in the Riverina.

The group's head of strategy Matthew Muller said the storage science combining hydrogen and lithium ion batteries was ground-breaking and new for Australia.

The system produced by UNSW and known as H2Store is billed as "reducing the fluctuation of renewable generation and increasing confidence in the security of energy supply".

Group chief technology officer Llewellyn Owens said: "It's incredibly satisfying to see this (UNSW) technology....being used in large-scale applications and helping establish Australia as a leader in the transition to renewable energy."

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Mr Muller said the lithium batteries were predicted to have a life span of 30 years making them better for the environment and the focus on hydrogen production was being done with an eye to its use as a fuel for vehicles.

"When all these hydrogen cars come to the market we won't be relying on petrol or diesel which is a terrific place to be," he said.

Mr Muller anticipates construction on the 15-hectare solar farm, which will generate 4.8 megawatts and 25 jobs, will begin early next year and be complete by in the second half of 2021.

It follows ESCO Pacific installing a 175 megawatt solar farm, over 385 hectares west of Finley, which became fully operational in February.

Berrigan mayor Matt Hannan said that project had provided crucial jobs through the 2018-19 drought and he welcomed the prospect of further work being created by the new solar array.