PLEA Network

22 October 2018, Renew Economy, Renewable hydrogen to be trialled in Sydney gas network. An Australian-first project that will demonstrate the potential for green hydrogen to be stored and transported for use via Australia’s existing gas networks has won the backing of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The $15 million, two-year trial – led by gas network operator, Jemena – will produce renewable hydrogen from solar and wind energy, and inject it into the local LNG network. Jemena – which has a network of 1.3 million gas customers in New South Wales – will produce the green hydrogen via a demonstration-scale 500kW electrolyser, which it will build at its facility in western Sydney. ARENA said on Monday that it would contribute $7.5 million in funding to the trial – known as Project H2GO – in an effort to test renewable hydrogen for domestic use and demonstrate the potential for its storage in gas networks. According to ARENA, Hydrogen can be safely added to the natural gas mains at concentrations of up to 10 per cent without affecting pipelines, appliances or regulations. The trial with Jemena, however, would explore the technical, regulatory, environmental and economic barriers to the production and use of hydrogen in various Australian conditions. Some of the hydrogen produced by the electrolyser will also be used in a gas engine generator for electricity generation back into the grid, as well as in an onsite Hydrogen Refuelling Station for fuel cell vehicles. Access more here