Centre for Hybrid Energy Systems

What are 'hybrid energy systems'?

Hybrid energy systems combine two or more energy technologies – such as solar, batteries, hydrogen or fuels into one integrated solution. These systems are designed to:

• improve energy efficiency and reliability
• support flexible energy use across sectors including transport, industry and agriculture
• reduce emissions.

Hybrid energy systems can include combinations of renewable and non-renewable sources, batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers, and fuel processors (for example ammonia or methanol-based energy systems). Hybrid systems are a key enabler of decarbonisation across transport, industry, and agriculture.

What we do at CHES

CHES is a hub for collaboration and innovation. We help partners:

• test and evaluate batteries, hydrogen electrolysers and fuel cells
• simulate real-world energy use to assess system performance
• develop scalable, low-emissions energy solutions for diverse applications—from remote communities to heavy transport.

This supports the development of scalable, low-emission solutions for diverse energy users.

Our capabilities

We support energy innovation through applied research, testing and demonstration. Our team can:

• prototype hybrid systems using renewable energy
• address integration challenges between renewables and storage
• demonstrate hydrogen-based systems
• explore export opportunities for green fuels like ammonia and methanol
• support electric and hydrogen transport infrastructure
• provide techno-economic, lifecycle and carbon footprint analysis
• deliver trusted, science-based advice to industry.

Partnerships delivering impact

CHES has contributed to major projects, including:

• ARENA Orica GRDC: Renewable ammonia synthesis
• ARENA: Battery standards development
• Toyota: Second-life battery applications
• Nissan: Solar-battery fast charging
• Fuel cell light logistics vehicle (FCLLV) demonstration.

We've also supported hydrogen innovations that led to the creation of Australian startups like Endua and Hadean Energy.

Specialist testing and analysis

We help partners safely and efficiently deploy hydrogen and hybrid energy technologies through advanced testing and analysis.

Hydrogen impurity testing

Hydrogen purity is critical for fuel cell performance. We offer:

• high-precision impurity detection (ppm and ppb levels)
• fast results with minimal interference
• compliance with ISO 14687 and EN 17124
• online or bottled sample analysis
• no carrier gas required.

Catalyst testing under real conditions

We test ammonia synthesis catalysts under variable conditions—like those in renewable-powered systems—so partners can understand how systems perform under fluctuating loads.

Additional services

• rapid prototyping of hybrid systems
• environmental stress testing for batteries
• evaluation of hydrogen generation and fuel cell systems
• custom demonstration projects
• research into hydrogen storage using green carriers (e.g. ammonia, methanol)
• collaborative research on emerging energy challenges.