ENERGY Networks Australia has welcomed the release of the National Hydrogen Roadmap, which sets out a blueprint for the development of a hydrogen industry in Australia, showing a cost competitive industry is on the horizon.

Energy Networks Australia was a member of the CSIRO led Roadmap steering committee and the network sector contributed $80,000 towards its development.

Chief executive officer of Energy Networks Australia, Andrew Dillon said across the sector there were many applications for hydrogen.

“We proactively engaged with CSIRO to identify the role networks could play in reducing emissions from the use of gas within homes and industry," Mr Dillon said.

“Hydrogen by itself, or as blended with natural gas provides exciting opportunities. Just like renewable power generation offers emission reductions from electricity generation, hydrogen offers similar potential to sectors where electrification does not make sense.”

Mr Dillon said Australia’s gas infrastructure was suitable to deliver hydrogen and there is growing interest from network businesses.

“Innovation to reduce the production cost of hydrogen will see it make commercial sense to be used as a network fuel to complement or replace natural gas in coming decades," he said.

Mr Dillon said using hydrogen in networks provides a better outcome for customers.

“Modelling by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group indicates that converting Victoria’s gas networks to hydrogen is 40 per cent cheaper than electrifying the energy supplied by gas networks.”

The Roadmap outlines a range of actions to be undertaken on the hydrogen journey.

“We’re already committed to this journey through pilot projects being carried out by our members, as well as supporting the Future Fuels CRC – that aims to create knowledge to facilitate converting networks to be hydrogen based,” Mr Dillon said. “This is a long-term strategy underpinning industry’s Gas Vision 2050.”

Download the National Hydrogen Roadmap.  

www.energynetworks.com.au

Energy Networks Australia represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas distribution networks. Our members provide energy to virtually every household and business in Australia.

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THE Regional Development Australia (RDA) National Forum was held in Canberra last week.

Regional leaders from across Australia met to network, collaborate and share experiences on best practice in regional development.

Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh, who hosted the forum, said the event was a great opportunity for RDA committees to connect and share ideas on how to bring innovation and economic investment to regional Australia.

“The national network of 52 RDA committees work with all levels of government, as well as business, industry and the community, to strengthen local economies across the country,” Dr McVeigh said.

“These local champions have an active role in helping our regions harness their competitive advantage, seize on economic opportunities, drive investment and create jobs.

“The forum is about bringing these regional leaders together with experts, academics and government to discuss issues, share knowledge and build important collaborative networks to ensure our regions continue to thrive.”

Dr McVeigh said the theme of the forum – collaborating and networking to grow regional economies – highlighted the importance of regional partnerships to continue the growth of these strong and diverse regional communities.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the ongoing success and productivity of Australia’s regions,” Dr McVeigh said.

“This national forum is about planning for the future of our regions and working together to ensure all local communities around Australia can reach their full potential.”

https://rda.gov.au/

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SAFE WORK Australia chair, Diane Smith-Gander released Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2018 today, with the latest figures in national work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities.

While encouraging Australians to use the trends, comparisons and industry breakdowns within this publication, Ms Smith-Gander urges us to look beyond the numbers.

“Understanding the national work-related injury, disease and fatality statistics can help reduce work-related fatalities, injury, illness and disease," Ms Smith-Gander said.

“I would like those who read this publication to remember that every number in the publication represents a life changed forever.

“While there is a 47 percent decrease in the national workplace fatality rate since 2007, there were still 191 workplace fatalities and every worker fatality is one too many,” Ms Smith-Gander said.

The data used in Key Work Health and Safety Statistics is sourced from jurisdictions, the National Coronial Information Service and the media.

Key Work Health and Safety Statistics is an annual publication. Improvements to this year’s release include hyperlinks and data breakdowns to make it easier to find the information business leaders want and ‘did you know’ animations to help industry spread the word.

www.swa.gov.au

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