Key points
- Dr Liezl Schoeman is combining her expertise across research fields and industry to support the hydrogen industry.
- Her new research into hydrogen embrittlement of materials at real operating conditions will help to build more reliable hydrogen infrastructure.
- Liezl represents Australia as an executive member of the International Energy Agency’s Technical Collaboration Programme for hydrogen.
Dr Liezl Schoeman is one of our superstars of hydrogen research.
In the five years since she joined us, she has applied a holistic view on the science and technology problems across the hydrogen value chain. She has identified and closed important knowledge gaps about how hydrogen reacts with materials. Simultaneously, she's built a high performing team and a global reputation through service to the International Energy Agency.
For decades, we have been producing and sharing scientific knowledge about hydrogen, an element which plays a critical role in the race to decarbonise our activities. Renewable hydrogen can replace fossil fuels as a reagent in iron and steel making or alumina refining. It can also decarbonise the production of ammonia for fertiliser or for energy storage and is used to make green fuels or as a green fuel itself.
Developing a new hydrogen industry presents numerous scientific and technological challenges. It is important to balance fundamental scientific research with industry needs. Liezl’s background supporting industry enables her to understand the needs and capabilities of both science and a growing industry.
Leading the way in hydrogen research
Liezl is part of a network of more than 100 scientists and engineers across CSIRO leaning into hydrogen research. However, her sights were not always on the lightest element.
After graduating with a Masters in Pure Chemistry, she became a chemist, then a lab manager in South Africa. She quickly realised her interests lay at the leading edge of research and went back to university to earn a PhD in metallurgical engineering. At the University of Pretoria, she continued to work as a consultant for a steel producer, gaining a solid understanding of the needs and drivers of industry.
Moving to Australia and joining CSIRO in 2019, Liezl used her rare combination of scientific and industrial knowledge to progress research in energy.
Liezl now leads a team focused on material science aspects related with hydrogen interactions with various materials. One of her success stories is the project on hydrogen embrittlement (degradation of mechanical properties in the presence of hydrogen). It can be a serious problem if those materials are used to contain or transport hydrogen-rich gas streams.
De-risking the hydrogen industry
Liezl and her team (particularly Alex Ilyushechkin, a senior research scientist focusing on materials science for hydrogen) identified an important gap in this area. It's one that's crucial to de-risking the industry: the absence of reliable testing protocols that are relevant to real operating conditions.
After identifying the gaps internally, Liezl progressed this study with a HILT Cooperative Research Centre project. She engaged industry partners who would benefit from the research and brought in researchers from across CSIRO with specific skillsets. Her team is assessing the susceptibility of various alloys and other materials to hydrogen embrittlement. They do tests under varying operating temperatures, pressures and concentrations, including at startup and shutdown conditions.
The project requires the development of new assessment methods. Her findings will help to de-risk decision making for industry partners by helping first movers to understand the reliability of materials for hydrogen pipework, machinery and storage.
“I would like to see our work being used collaboratively in the guidance of the industry in Australia. For example, we could help with regulations and standards to de-risk hydrogen investment decisions,” Liezl said.
Collaboration key to scientific progress
Science is a social sport. Being able to trust and collaborate with colleagues, and communicate plans and outputs, is critical to modern scientific progress. So, Liezl has dedicated a lot of energy to building an open and honest work environment where people’s skills and experience are valued, by modelling those behaviours.
“I find people really interesting, and understanding what makes each individual tick has been super important in creating a positive culture where everyone is heard, understood and trusted. I am a dedicated leader, and I make sure we all communicate effectively and respectfully,” she said.
“I have been a mentor to many colleagues over the years and have learnt so much throughout my career about supporting and motivating people at all career levels.”
Building hydrogen expertise globally
Decarbonisation is a global race against the clock. To win we need to work together.
The International Energy Agency’s Technical Collaboration Programme (TCP) brings together over 6000 experts worldwide to collaborate on energy technologies and related issues. Liezl is an executive committee member of the IEA’s Hydrogen TCP, along with CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Research Network, Andrew Dicks.
Together they represent Australia, ensuring that Australian hydrogen research is communicated, and establishing tasks where Australian researchers can contribute their expertise. They use HyResearch, a database of all hydrogen research projects in Australia, to help them understand the landscape of hydrogen expertise across the country.
With Liezl’s broad range of expertise, developing people skills and expanding international influence, she continues to be a highly valuable member of the CSIRO team.