Construction has begun on the Western Sydney Green Gas project.
Jemena Major Projects team has installed NSW’s first electrolyser which will generate hydrogen from renewable energy for injection and storage in the gas network.
Sydney homes and businesses could use “green gas” in as little as five years for their cooking, heating, and hot water, thanks to a new renewable gas trial from leading energy company, Jemena.
The $15 million trial – the largest of its kind in Australia – will use international technology to convert solar and wind power into hydrogen gas, which will then be stored for use across the Jemena Gas Network in New South Wales; Australia’s biggest gas distribution network.
Hydrogen is carbon-neutral and produces water when used as a fuel source.
Jemena’s Managing Director, Frank Tudor, said Jemena’s hydrogen gas trial will see a 500kW electrolyser constructed in western Sydney which is able to generate enough hydrogen to power approximately 250 homes.
“In the future Australians will need to decide what to do with excess renewable energy on very windy or very sunny days. Jemena’s project will demonstrate how existing gas pipeline technology can store excess renewable energy for weeks and months, making it more efficient than batteries which can only store excess renewable energy for minutes or hours,” said Mr Tudor.
“Our trial will also explore how hydrogen can be used to power Australians who are on the move, with a hydrogen refuelling station being developed to support the burgeoning hydrogen-vehicle industry.”
It is estimated Jemena’s New South Wales gas network – which delivers gas to 1.3 million customers – is capable of storing as much energy as 8 million Powerwall batteries without further investment or network augmentation.
Mr Tudor said Jemena’s project lays the foundations for a renewable energy grid which would take advantage of Australia’s abundant renewable resources.
“Australia has established solar and wind powered industries, and this trial will leverage off this as we develop a hydrogen industry. It will be very exciting to explore the benefits for customers and how these could be rolled out more broadly across our NSW gas network, and potentially, across Australia, in the future.”
Jemena’s project will be co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) who has committed $7.5 million in funding for the project.
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
