In this episode of Exploring Hydrogen, we are joined by Chief Operating Officer at LAVO, Jacques Markgraaff to learn how LAVO is commercialising the storage of hydrogen and democratising and decentralising energy for local businesses and homes. 

With Jacques’ 20 years experience in strategy, corporate development, business transformation his role at LAVO straddles the whole value chain: corporate development, investment, R&D; Jacques provides insight into LAVO’s hydrogen storage developments and outlook for the next 2 years, hydrogen industry updates, and the advantages of hydrogen in comparison to lithium batteries. 

LAVO is a venture between Provenance Asset Group, an ESG dedicated firm, and UNSW’s hydrogen center, LAVO is the world’s first technology and lifestyle brand powered by green hydrogen. Named in honour of Antoine Lavoisier, the French chemist who identified Hydrogen and nicknamed the father of modern-day chemistry, LAVO’s aims to power the world with limitless energy. 

1:00 - About LAVO – world’s first technology and lifestyle brand powered by green Hydrogen ‘powering the world with limitless energy’ 

4:15 - Appearance of LAVO. Metal hydride storage units and the home and business applications 

9:14 - LAVO unit residential application  

10:14 - LAVO’s strategic priorities across different markets of residential, telecommunication towers, commercial and off grid back up – 5 units across 5 states 

13:45 - HEOS unit for solar and wind farms: 13 MWh system. 18T metal hydride. Generating green hydrogen 

15:40 - HEOS - advantageous for the defense sector 

17:05 - LAVO’s goals for the next 2 years – commercial focus 

20:52 - Fuel cell project in Springfield manufacturing facility joint venture with Nedstack  

23:00 - How can Australia drive advanced manufacturing and benefit from exporting renewable technologies? 

24:20 - Industry-wide policies that would assist the growth of the hydrogen sector 

26:45 - State collaborations to avoid potential regulation issues 

28:05 - Unit water usage – a little goes a long way 

29:20 - Why would a consumer choose a LAVO’s unit over a battery? Energy security, safety, sustainability, lifespan, scalability, lifetime cost comparison 

30:55 -  Sustainability and efficiency comparison: LAVO unit vs lithium battery 

39:10 - Most exciting advancements in the hydrogen sector 

Jacques' Bio:

Jacques Markgraaff is an accomplished executive with over 20 years’ experience in strategy and corporate development and business transformation combined with breadth in commercial and sales management across multiple industries. Prior to joining LAVO as the Chief Operating Officer he was the Executive Advisor at Providence Asset Group the primary investor in the company. Jacques has worked internationally for some of the world’s leading management consulting, financial services and CPG companies with a successful track record of achieving a balance of breakthrough commercial, strategic and customer results. Jacques is a passionate campaigner for growing the top and bottom line through purpose driven innovation and sustainability centered design while transforming the customer experience using disruptive digital technologies. Jacques holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Law degree and an MBA from Imperial College London. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquesmarkgraaff/

Website: https://lavo.com.au/