Production has begun at Australian Gas Networks’ Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA), supplying industry with green hydrogen via tube trailers and saving approximately 122,000kg of carbon emissions per year.
The facility can produce approximately 175t of hydrogen per annum, equal to the total gas use of around 1,500 South Australian homes, or tens of thousands of homes on a blended gas basis.
A BOC Gas Company custom tube trailer will transport hydrogen shipments of up to 370kg from HyP SA in the Tonsley Innovation District.
BOC South Pacific Managing Director, John Evans, said his company was proud to have partnered with AGIG and the South Australian Government in delivering hydrogen to residents and industry.
“BOC will now commence supplying green hydrogen to South Australian customers and be able to support demand for zero emissions fuel across energy, storage, transport and other industrial applications,” Mr Evans said.
“The green hydrogen will also be used for combustion in our Whyalla Argon Purification Unit which makes high purity argon used in industrial processes and welding gases.
“We’re proud to be partnering with AGIG and the South Australian Government to deliver this significant milestone for the HyP SA facility and demonstrate the immediate value that a green source of hydrogen can have on South Australian industry.”
Australian Gas Networks, a subsidiary of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), aims to deliver at least ten per cent renewable gas across its distribution networks by 2030 and has a target of 100 per cent renewable gas by 2040, and by no later than 2050.
AGIG Chief Executive Officer, Craig de Laine, said the project showcased the potential for future hydrogen endeavours.
“This initiative is a fantastic example of how electricity and gas infrastructure can work together to deliver a cleaner future,” Mr de Laine said.
“This new production source at HyP SA demonstrates the wider potential for this fuel and its ability to integrate into existing and future energy networks.
“We are working on our plans to deliver carbon-free, renewable hydrogen to our more than 450,000 customers that rely on gas in South Australia.”
In May 2021, HyP SA began supply of up to five per cent blended renewable gas to more than 700 homes in Mitchell Park, which has embraced its status as the recipients of Australia’s first renewable blended gas. By the end of this year, HyP SA will supply more than 3,000 homes in nearby suburbs with blended gas.
HyP SA at Tonsley is the first of several renewable hydrogen projects AGIG is developing around Australia: Pending approvals, Hydrogen Park Murray Valley in Victoria will be a 10MW facility delivering up to a ten per cent (by volume) renewable gas blend to more than 40,000 homes and businesses in Albury and Wodonga in 2024.
Additionally, AGIG has announced plans for a ten per cent blended gas project in Gladstone, Queensland.
