ATCO Hydrogen Blending Project (Project progressed to Operating)

ATCO Hydrogen Blending Project

The project will see renewables-based hydrogen blended into the existing natural gas distribution network within the City of Cockburn, involving around 2,700 connections.

Main proponents: ATCO Gas Australia Pty Ltd	Main end-use classification: Hydrogen in gas networks	Status: Operating – successful commissioning was announced in December 2022	Estimated cost: AUD$2.6 million – Project
Other involvement:	Production details: Dependent on hydrogen blending profile	Location: Western Australia, Australia	Announced funding: AUD$1.97 million – Western Australian Government Renewable Hydrogen Fund Round 2 (capital works)

Project description

ATCO Australia owns and operates the majority of the Western Australia’s gas distribution network. In December 2022, ATCO announced that it had successfully blended a small percentage of renewables-based hydrogen into the gas network using hydrogen from its Clean Energy Innovation Hub facility located in Jandakot, Perth.

The project, which would involve around 2,700 connections, will see renewables-based hydrogen blended into discrete sections of the Western Australian gas distribution network within the City of Cockburn area.

It is anticipated the project will continue for approximately two years and will involve blending between 2% and 10% of renewables-based hydrogen into the network within the project area.

To produce sufficient hydrogen for the project, ATCO will supplement its rooftop solar energy array at Jandakot by the purchase of electricity backed by the surrender of Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) to confirm the additional energy used in the production of hydrogen is recognised as renewable.

In August 2021, it was announced that ATCO had received AUD$1.97 million in funding under Round 2 of the Western Australian Government Renewable Hydrogen Fund (capital works) to assist the project.

 

Updated: December 2022