Western Australia (WA) has reached another significant milestone in the renewable hydrogen race, with renewable hydrogen being mixed into the natural gas network for the first time and the State’s first high-speed hydrogen refueller now operational.
In a statement, the WA Government said the achievements indicate that WA has met all four 2022 targets outlined in the State’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.
ATCO, a natural gas supplier, has begun mixing a tiny percentage of renewable hydrogen into a segment of the City of Cockburn’s natural gas distribution network.
Premier Mark McGowan said ATCO project milestones are not only good news for the corporation; they are also good news for WA.
“More and more, we are seeing local projects take renewable hydrogen as a clean energy source from theory to reality,” Premier McGowan stated.
The Premier added that hydrogen is the future fuel, and the government is putting WA at the forefront of the hydrogen race, boosting local jobs and diversifying the economy.
The State Government claimed that the initiative is one of the largest of its sort in Australia, with over 2,700 businesses and homes projected to benefit.
According to the WA Government, renewable hydrogen is being used in the natural gas supply for the first time in the State.
ATCO intends to increase and test blend percentages from 2 per cent to 10 per cent in the near future.
Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the 2022 goals were to help establish a renewable hydrogen economy in WA while also developing critical skills and expertise for future growth.
“The commissioning of ATCO’s hydrogen blending facility has helped us achieve the goal of distributing renewable hydrogen in the WA gas network by 2022,” Minister MacTiernan stated.
According to the Minister, WA achieved its goal of operating a renewable hydrogen refuelling station in WA by 2022 thanks to the ATCO Hydrogen Refuelling Station.
“Our goals going forward will change as we fast track our capacity to become a hydrogen world player,” Minister MacTiernan added.
ATCO and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) also opened WA’s first renewable hydrogen refuelling station today. The station can provide renewable hydrogen to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai in five minutes. The Toyota Mirai can drive up to 500 kilometres on a single tank of gas.
ATCO and FFI will use the station to refill their fleets of Toyota Mirai and agreed-upon third parties such as WA Police.
The station and blending project will use renewable hydrogen generated locally in Jandakot at ATCO’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub through electrolysis of renewable electricity.
The State Government has contributed $1.97 million to the Hydrogen Blending Project and $1 million to the hydrogen refuelling station.
Following the announcement of the Renewable Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, the McGowan Government committed a total of $162.5 million to promote the growth of the renewable hydrogen industry in WA.
The strategy established four specific milestones for completion by 2022: a refuelling facility in WA, hydrogen distribution into the gas network, hydrogen use in a remote site, and approval of an export proposal.
Following the opening of the Denham hydrogen plant in October and the start of construction on the joint Yara/ENGIE Yuri project in the Pilbara, the McGowan Government has now met all four 2022 targets on schedule.
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said renewable hydrogen will play a key role in addressing WA’s energy needs as the state strives for net zero emissions by 2050.
“ATCO’s Hydrogen Blending Project shows how emerging technology can be integrated with existing assets in the gas distribution system and balance energy needs,” Minister Johnston stated.
Minister Johnston added that by combining renewable hydrogen with natural gas, WA could reduce emissions and move closer to a net zero future.
The announcement comes ahead of the Australian Hydrogen Conference, which will be held on 6-7 December. It will bring together the sector’s energy professionals to help determine the future of this rapidly expanding sector not only in WA but also across the country and internationally.
Over 800 delegates and speakers are anticipated to attend.
 has reached another significant milestone in the renewable hydrogen race, with renewable hydrogen being mixed into the natural gas network for the first time and the State's first high-speed hydrogen refueller now operational.){kind=link}