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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

The Australian Hydrogen Centre – feasibility studies for achieving 10 and 100% renewable hydrogen in South Australia and Victoria

Owen Sharpe A * and Kristin Raman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian Gas Networks Ltd, Adelaide, SA, Australia.




Owen Sharpe is Strategy Manager at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, contributing to AGIG’s strategic priorities including renewable gases and sustainability. Owen holds a Master of Science in Energy and Resources Management at University College London, and Bachelors in Laws and Commerce (Corporate Finance) at the University of Adelaide.



Kristin Raman is Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group. Kristin leads business strategy, Environmental, Social and Governance reporting, internal communications and the implementation of the long-term vision for gas through renewable gases and low carbon solutions. Kristin holds Bachelors in Chemical Engineering (Honours) and Finance at the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance from Kaplan.

* Correspondence to: owen.sharpe@agig.com.au

Australian Energy Producers Journal 64 S191-S196 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP23216
Accepted: 27 March 2024  Published: 16 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

The Australian Hydrogen Centre (AHC) was established to deliver Australian-first feasibility studies into how existing natural gas distribution networks could be used in a system to produce, store, and transport renewable hydrogen, decarbonising gas supply while still meeting the needs of customers. The AHC Reports show that it is technically and economically feasible to use existing gas infrastructure for scaled hydrogen distribution, delivering: (1) net-zero carbon emissions gas; (2) minimised customer disruption while retaining security and diversity of supply; (3) services to the electricity grid through flexible electricity demand and frequency control; (4) 15 gigawatts (GW) of electrolysis supported by over 30 GW of new renewable electricity generation; (5) 30 petajoules (PJ) of hydrogen storage to harness the ability of gas to store vast amounts of energy, balancing renewable electricity supply and demand swings between colder and warmer months; and (6) over AU$1.5 billion in additional economic value a year including more than 12,500 jobs during construction and 6200 jobs during operation. Supported by a range of independent technical studies, the Reports provide a better understanding of the opportunity to access Australia’s world-class gas distribution infrastructure to unlock hydrogen opportunities while retaining energy security and affordability; identifying a range of low-regret enablers that could trigger coordinated action by government and industry. They also share learnings from Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA), an Australian-first demonstration of hydrogen blending in a gas distribution network.

Keywords: energy sector coupling, energy storage, green gas, grid resilience, hydrogen blending, hydrogen economy, hydrogen gas distribution, hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen production, renewable energy integration, renewable gas networks, renewable hydrogen, sustainable energy.

Biographies

EP23216_B1.gif

Owen Sharpe is Strategy Manager at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group, contributing to AGIG’s strategic priorities including renewable gases and sustainability. Owen holds a Master of Science in Energy and Resources Management at University College London, and Bachelors in Laws and Commerce (Corporate Finance) at the University of Adelaide.

EP23216_B2.gif

Kristin Raman is Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group. Kristin leads business strategy, Environmental, Social and Governance reporting, internal communications and the implementation of the long-term vision for gas through renewable gases and low carbon solutions. Kristin holds Bachelors in Chemical Engineering (Honours) and Finance at the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance from Kaplan.

References

Australian Hydrogen Centre (2023a) Australian Hydrogen Centre Summary Report. Available at https://arena.gov.au/knowledge-bank/australian-hydrogen-centre-summary-report/

Australian Hydrogen Centre (2023b) Australian Hydrogen Centre. Available at https://arena.gov.au/projects/australian-hydrogen-centre/

DCCEEW (2019) Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. p. 33. Available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australias-national-hydrogen-strategy.pdf

GPA Engineering Pty Ltd (2022) Summary Report Network Analysis for State-Wide Feasibility Studies. Available at 220804-REP-005-r0-Summary-Report.pdf (gpaeng.com.au)

Proud D, Smith N (2023) RP1.4-05 – Performance of Type A appliances with blends of hydrogen and natural gas. Available at RP1.4-05-Project-Summary.pdf (futurefuelscrc.com)