Australian Hydrogen Centre

September 23rd, 2020

Australian Hydrogen Centre

The Australian Hydrogen Centre will investigate the feasibility of blending renewable hydrogen into gas distribution networks and of transitioning to 100 per cent hydrogen networks (over the long term) in South Australia and Victoria.

Main proponents:

Australian Gas Networks (AGN), part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)

 Main end-use classification:

Hydrogen in gas networks

 Status:

Under development

 Estimated cost:

AUD$4.15 million
Other involvement:

The Centre is also being supported by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; the South Australian Department for Mining and Energy; AusNet Services; Engie Energy Services; and Neoen Australia.

 Production details:

 

 Location:

South Australia/ Victoria, Australia

 Announced funding:

AUD$1.28 million – Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

AUD$0.50 million – Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

AUD$0.14 million – South Australian Department for Energy and Mining

Project description

The Australian Hydrogen Centre will assess the feasibility of blending renewable hydrogen into gas distribution networks (in the near term) and of transitioning to 100 per cent hydrogen networks (over the long term).

Feasibility studies to be undertaken include the examination of:

  • 10 per cent hydrogen blending into selected regional towns in Victoria and South Australia

[The Hydrogen Park Murray Valley proposal has emerged as a leading candidate for this regional blending initiative, with AGIG/AGN announced (in May 2021) as one of the successful recipients of a conditional funding award under ARENA’s Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding Round.]

  • 10 per cent hydrogen blending into the gas networks of Victoria and South Australia
  • 100 per cent hydrogen networks for Victoria and South Australia

In addition, knowledge sharing reports will be published, presenting key learnings from the Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) project – where renewable hydrogen will be blended into the gas networks in the suburb of Mitchell Park, Adelaide.

Key outcomes from the studies include:

  • comprehensive studies to decarbonise gas consumption in Victorian and South Australia
  • project plans to inject 10 per cent renewable hydrogen into selected regional towns
  • sharing the learnings from the HyP SA project and helping to de-risk other power to gas projects
  • expanding the market for renewable electricity generation
  • establishing a platform for other states to decarbonise their gas consumption by leveraging on the Victorian and South Australian feasibility studies
  • establishing a large domestic market for renewable hydrogen.

Further benefits of the studies include:

  • raising community awareness on the use of hydrogen and addressing safety and other concerns
  • providing a strong signal to equipment (electrolyser) manufacturers of the potential for large-scale deployment of electrolysis
  • assisting in the development of the renewable hydrogen industry at scale.

Milestones

February 2020: ARENA announces AUD$1.28 million in funding to AGN/AGIG to support the establishment of the Australian Hydrogen Centre.

 

Updated: May 2021