The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association of Australia (GAMAA) today welcomed a major milestone in the development of renewable hydrogen supply as construction started on the $65.46 million Hydrogen Park Murray Valley near Wodonga.
The project, led by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) with Longi Hydrogen, Energy Australia, Powernet, Valmec, GPA Engineering, is also supported by the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Change.
"This project shows how industry and government can work together to make renewable hydrogen on an industrial scale a reality by the end of this decade," GAMAA President Ross Jamieson said.
"The Murray Valley project underlines the importance of maintaining a viable hydrogen ready distributed gas network which, together with new high efficiency gas appliances will significantly decarbonise gas supply to households and small businesses.
"This will save consumers money allowing them to continue to use gas for cooking, heating and hot water. We know gas is a favoured energy source for more than 60% of Victorians."
A 10-megawatt LONGi Hydrogen electrolyser will enable Hydrogen Park Murray Valley, located just outside Wodonga, to generate around 500 tonnes of renewable hydrogen and avoid around 3,000 tonnes of emissions each year.
The renewable hydrogen will then be blended into the existing natural gas distribution network to deliver up to 10% by volume renewable gas to around 40,000 Albury-Wodonga homes and businesses, without any need for changes to the appliances already in use.
"This is an important first step in the transition to 100% renewable gas. Governments at all levels must work together to ensure the policy settings support a transition to 100% renewable gas capable networks and Australian-made, high efficiency 100% renewable gas appliances, so we have the market, skills and jobs to keep delivering choice to consumers," Mr Jamieson said.
"Australian gas appliance manufacturers and their workforces are ready today to support the clean energy transition. We already have the equipment, the skills and the experience to create a thriving and competitive renewable gas appliance manufacturing base."
"Since 2018, GAMAA members have actively contributed to industry research for development of 100% renewable gas appliances and the drafting of standards for renewable gas appliances for homes, restaurants and cafes, which has since been published. Safety is our industry's first priority, and renewable gas appliances will be independently certified to this standard. Consumers can be assured that they will operate safely and reliably".
"These standards will open the door for Australian-made gas appliances certified to operate on renewable gases and to be made available to consumers."
More than 60 per cent of gas appliances sold in Australia are designed and made in Australia, for Australian conditions, with GAMAA members employing around 4000 people, many in regional centres.
