Australian Hydrogen Centre (Archived)

October 2nd, 2023

Australian Hydrogen Centre

The Australian Hydrogen Centre investigated the feasibility of 10% renewable hydrogen in gas distribution networks, transitioning to 100% 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 assessed the feasibility of 10% renewable hydrogen into gas distribution networks (in the near term) transitioning to 100% hydrogen networks (over the long term).

Feasibility studies undertaken include the examination of:

  • 10% hydrogen into selected regional towns in Victoria and South Australia

[Hydrogen Park Murray Valley emerged as a leading candidate from this initiative, announced in May 2021 as one of the successful recipients of conditional funding under ARENA’s Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding Round.]

  • 10% hydrogen into the gas networks of Victoria and South Australia
  • 100% hydrogen networks for Victoria and South Australia

In addition, knowledge sharing reports will be published, including presenting key learnings from Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) – where renewable hydrogen is being blended into the gas networks of 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% renewable hydrogen into selected regional towns
  • sharing the learnings from Hydrogen Park South Australia 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.

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

ARENA-hosted Knowledge Sharing Reports

The studies to be prepared under the Australian Hydrogen Centre were completed around mid-2023 and are hosted under the ARENA Knowledge Bank.

 

Updated: September 2023