Networks embrace hydrogen opportunities 

ENERGY Networks Australia has welcomed the release of a report by Australia’s Chief Scientist which further promotes the development of a hydrogen industry in Australia.  

Energy Networks Australia chief executive officer Andrew Dillon is a member of the Hydrogen Strategy Group, led by Dr Alan Finkel that produced the COAG Energy Council report Hydrogen for Australia’s future.

“There’s been a growing focus right across the sector on the significant opportunities hydrogen presents for Australia,” Mr Dillon said.

"As the report states, hydrogen can be safely added to natural gas supplies at up to 10 percent by volume without changes to pipelines, appliances or regulations.

“From a gas distributor’s perspective, hydrogen has potential to support electricity and gas networks by allowing renewable hydrogen to be stored in existing infrastructure and then be used for providing heat or generating electricity.

“The storage capability of our existing gas networks is enormous, with the equivalent of six billion Tesla Powerwall batteries already in place.

“Over time, the gas networks will be able to deliver 100 percent hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas for domestic cooking, heating and hot water.”

Mr Dillon said using renewables to generate hydrogen also creates new revenue raising opportunities for solar PV and wind generation.

“Using excess renewable energy to power electrolysis units takes pressure off the grid with the hydrogen stored for later use, just like excess energy stored in a battery," he said.

“Hydrogen also has a role in transport, for powering passenger vehicles, buses, trucks and trains,” Mr Dillon said. 

“Hydrogen is a key component of industry’s Gas Vision 2050 and industry is already leading the development of this technology through various research and pilot projects.”

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity is a not for profit coalition of business, government and environmental leaders promoting a more energy productive economy.

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