Gas, the natural choice for the future
AGIG and the gas sector more generally have a clear vision for a low carbon future using renewable and carbon neutral gases such as hydrogen and biomethane.
We know we need to deliver on this vision if Australia is to meet national and state based emissions reductions targets, whilst also maintaining reliability of energy supply and lowest cost to our customers.
We are developing our renewable gas future.
Hydrogen Park South Australia and Hydrogen Park Gladstone will demonstrate how we can use the existing gas network to deliver blended renewable gas to customers - the Australian Hydrogen Centre is the next step in our journey, delivering feasibility studies on blending 10% renewable hydrogen into towns and cities, and plans for a 100% hydrogen future.
Planning for our Low Carbon Future
Established at the end of 2019, the $4.15 million Australian Hydrogen Centre (AHC) is backed by a $1.28 million Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) grant and will run for two years.
Over this time, the AHC will help to accelerate the hydrogen industry by:
• Completing comprehensive studies to decarbonise gas consumption in Victorian and South Australia
• Developing project plans to inject 10% renewable hydrogen into selected regional towns
• Sharing the learnings from Hydrogen Park South Australia - de-risking other renewable gas projects
• Expanding the market for renewable electricity generation
• Establishing 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
Importantly, it will also raise community awareness on the use of hydrogen and how this technology may be deployed in the future.
“The natural gas network could be a key piece of infrastructure to support decarbonisation of the national energy system. The network has the potential to be used for the long-term storage of renewably produced hydrogen and limit the need for electrification alternatives, which can be costly.”
“The development of a local hydrogen sector will underpin the investment in technology and skills to support the long term export opportunity. These studies will go a long way to identifying the possibility of using and storing hydrogen in local gas networks.” ARENA CEO Darren Miller
Founding Members
The AHC would not be possible without the support of ARENA and the founding members: South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining, Victoria’s Department of environment, Land, Water and Planning, gas and energy infrastructure businesses, AGN (part of AGIG) and AusNet Services, and leading renewable energy companies, ENGIE and Neoen.
Image (From left to right): ARENA CEO Darren Miller, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction the Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Mining the Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan, AGIG CEO Ben Wilson, and AGIG General Manager People and Strategy Craig de Laine at the Australian Hydrogen Centre announcement
Timeline
• Q4 2019: Project start date
• Q1 2020: Official announcement of the Australian Hydrogen Centre by the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction the Hon Angus Taylor MP
• Q1 2020: Selection of Regional Towns report
• Q4 2020: 10% hydrogen blending in Regional Town draft feasibility report
• Q2 2021: 10% hydrogen blending in Regional Town final feasibility report and 10% state blending draft feasibility reports
• Q1 2022: Final state feasibility reports (10% blending and 100% hydrogen networks), Hydrogen Park South Australia knowledge sharing report
Find out More
• ARENA Project Page: The Australian Hydrogen Centre
• Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Media Release
• South Australian Government media release
Contact: Vikram Singh Vikram.singh@agig.com.au
