LAVO™ acts as a solar sponge, integrating with rooftop solar to capture and store renewable energy for use when you need it.

LAVO, a leading provider of hydrogen energy storage solutions, has unveiled its cutting-edge demonstration site in Girgarre, Victoria. This site serves as a showcase for LAVO's pioneering Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS), which combines hybrid lithium-ion and hydrogen technology with patented low-pressure metal hydride storage. The LAVO system offers a robust solution for long-duration energy storage (LDES), a critical component of the global transition to sustainable energy.

Efficient Energy Capture and Storage:

LAVO acts as a solar sponge, integrating with rooftop solar to capture and store renewable energy for use when you need it. LAVO's HESS technology efficiently captures and stores energy generated by rooftop solar panels. It relies on the production of green hydrogen, generated through the process of electrolysis, which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. The resulting green hydrogen is securely stored in LAVO's patented low-pressure metal hydride storage vessels, providing a carbon-neutral and long-duration energy source (with the hydride vessels offering an expected storage period of approx. 30 years). When needed, the stored hydrogen is converted back into electricity, ensuring a continuous supply of renewable energy for residential and commercial properties. This conversion is facilitated by a fuel cell inside the system, which also houses a lithium-ion battery and a water purifier, allowing the system to operate on tap water.

Pioneering Sustainable Energy Solutions:

LAVO's strategic focus on green hydrogen aligns with the forecast that a significant portion of future global energy needs will be met by green hydrogen, making it a crucial contributor to the journey toward a net-zero future. LAVO's commitment to a sustainable energy future extends well beyond Girgarre. The company has strategically aligned itself with universities, research institutions, and industry leaders, effectively turning visionary ideas into reality. Beyond residential and commercial building applications, LAVO is working in parallel on the development of a much larger utility-scale modular unit called EOS, based on a 40-foot container footprint, for global solar and wind farm implementations, effectively giving operators the ability to increase the rate of return on that asset.

Global Collaboration:

The global interest in LAVO's innovative storage system is evident in its recent collaboration with the University of Tokyo to develop hydrogen storage solutions for the Japanese market. Professor Kono has also been appointed as an advisor by the Japanese Ministry of Environment for the world's first green hydrogen shipment from South Australia to Indonesia in LAVO metal hydride storage containers, expected to sail in December 2023.

Professor Kono remarked, "Australia and Japan are working together to achieve net zero emissions. I have been contributing to help the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology. Businesses and governments in both countries can see an opportunity for the use of hydrogen to reduce emissions. To accelerate the collaboration on hydrogen technology R&D and commercial-ready product development is fostering a new wave of growth for both the Australian and Japanese markets."

A Convergence of Science, Design, and Engineering:

LAVO's system exemplifies the remarkable convergence of science and innovation, with Australia leading the charge in sustainable energy solutions. Partnerships with Design + Industry, GHD, Varley Group, Ampcontrol, Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology, Enapter, R & R Murphy, and the University of New South Wales - Hydrogen Energy Research Centre have played a pivotal role in translating the technology into a commercialised real-world solution.

The LAVO Hydrogen Energy Storage System has received significant local and international recognition for product design and engineering excellence, securing the Red Dot Best of the Best and iF Design Gold Awards in 2022, building on its success in winning the Australian Good Design Best in Class and Gold accolades in 2021. Reflecting on the recognition, Alan Yu, CEO and Executive Director of LAVO, commented: “The unique design of our LAVO Hydrogen Battery brings an innovative and more sustainable solution to the renewable energy storage market compared to traditional batteries. LAVO continues to drive sustainable design and innovation at the forefront of our future solutions and technology… We would like to thank and acknowledge our design partners, Design + Industry (D+I), who share our ambition for design, innovation, and engineering that contributes to a sustainable future.”

The demonstration at the Girgarre Solar Farm in Victoria marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and greener future as LAVO continues to pave the way for advanced energy storage solutions and a global shift to a net-zero carbon future.

To learn more, visit lavo.com.au and design-industry.com.au/lavo