CHEMMAT 304 Field Trip: Exploring the Future of Hydrogen Energy

On 17 September 2025, students from CHEMMAT 304 The Future of Energy joined a field trip to the Halcyon Hydrogen Refuelling Station in Wiri, hosted by Halcyon Ltd (Obayashi) and Coregas.

This field activity features a fast hydrogen refueller built by Halcyon and operated by Coregas, with crucial support from Beca, MBCentury, Toyota, Hyundai, and HWR. The Wiri hydrogen refuelling station has been open and operating since April 2024. It is designed to refuel hydrogen for cars/trucks/buses. It represents a significant step forward in hydrogen technology in New Zealand, showcasing advanced refuelling capabilities and a commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Led by Dr Jingjing Liu (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering), Toshi Hisaeda (Halcyon (Obyashi)), MITSUI Jinya (Halcyon (Obyashi)), and Michael Lee (Coregas NZ), Amir Mahdi (Coregas NZ) and the team for sharing their expertise, the visit provided students with first-hand exposure hydrogen refuelling station. The programme included a presentation from Obayashi NZ, a guided tour of the refuelling station, and a demonstration of hydrogen vehicle refuelling by Coregas engineers. Several students had the rare opportunity to refuel vehicles under supervision, gaining practical insight into the safety and technical considerations of hydrogen infrastructure.

The visit concluded with networking and discussions over light refreshments, offering students a chance to engage directly with industry engineers on hydrogen technology and its role in New Zealand’s transition to sustainable energy.

This activity highlighted the value of connecting classroom learning with real-world applications, inspiring students to consider hydrogen as a critical element in the future energy landscape.