South Australia’s state government has welcomed a nation-leading increase in the blend of renewable hydrogen being delivered to almost 4,000 South Australian homes and businesses.
Related article: Hydrogen Park SA to be industry supplier
Australia’s first Hydrogen Park in the Tonsley Innovation District is already powering thousands of homes with a 5% blend of renewable hydrogen with natural gas—but this is now increasing to 10%.
This is the highest concentration of hydrogen-blended gas in Australia, and underscores the findings of recent research from the Australian Hydrogen Centre, which showed South Australia’s initiative to blend hydrogen into the state’s gas networks could pave the way for the abundant element to eventually supply 100% renewable hydrogen through the state’s distribution networks.
Renewable hydrogen can be used in the same way as natural gas, heating homes and businesses, generating electricity and as a transport fuel.
There remains significant opportunity for Hydrogen Park SA and other South Australian renewable gas projects to supply renewable gas directly to customers via existing networks.
South Australian Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said, “Last year we saw this project extend to almost 4000 houses, and now we’re seeing an exciting new milestone, an Australian-first 10 per cent blend of renewable hydrogen into the gas network.
“This just underlines the potential for hydrogen to help reduce natural gas consumption, and emphasises the major role it will play in our state’s energy mix.”
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group CEO Craig de Laine said, “Careful consideration of the required regulatory and investment settings have enabled the renewable gas industry to grow in South Australia.
Related article: Greenhill to build $425m biomass-to-hydrogen hub in SA
“We hope this continues long into the future as we have plans to continue to work with the South Australian Government to deploy similar facilities of greater scale and customer reach.”
