ATCO has reached a key hydrogen blending milestone that that is vital to the broader adoption of the nascent gas and lays a foundation for a renewable future.
As part of a pilot project in the City of Cockburn, ATCO has successfully blended up to ten per cent hydrogen into around 3000 homes connected to Western Australia’s main natural gas network.
This major milestone underscores ATCO’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and aligns with Australia’s broader strategy to transition to a future powered by sustainable energy.
Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a critical component of the global energy transition. As the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen can be produced from various resources, including natural gas, biomass and renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
When used as a fuel, hydrogen produces only water as a by-product, and it is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels when produced from renewable energy.
This type of versatility allows hydrogen to be used across many different sectors, including transportation, power generation and industrial processes.
ATCO’s clean energy innovation hub (CEIH), launched in 2019 with the support of the Western Australia Government, aims to exemplify how hydrogen can be integrated into existing energy systems.
The CEIH produces renewable hydrogen, which is then blended with natural gas into parts of the existing network. This initiative has demonstrated that hydrogen blends of up to ten per cent can be safely and effectively incorporated into the natural gas network without affecting the performance of residential appliances.
ATCO Executive General Manager of Gas Operations, Russell Godsall, said the project not only advances the use of renewable gases but also sets the stage for future developments.
“ATCO’s demonstration hydrogen home in Jandakot [a suburb of Perth], equipped with 100 per cent hydrogen appliances, showcases the potential for hydrogen to become an alternative energy source in Australian homes,” Mr Godsall said.
The significance of ATCO’s achievement is complemented by its recent collaboration with Delorean Corporation to support the development of bioenergy projects in Western Australia and enable ATCO to purchase biomethane (renewable natural gas) to replace system losses in the network. This collaboration further paves the way for hydrogen and renewable gases to play an important role in Australia’s energy transition.
ATCO Australia CEO, John Ivulich, emphasised the importance of regulatory support in advancing these initiatives.
“Amendments to the national gas law and rules to include hydrogen, biomethane and other renewable gases will provide confidence for industry to further invest in these emerging fuels,” he said.
Mr Ivulich also called for the establishment of a renewable gas target, which could further accelerate the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
As Australia strives to achieve its net zero emissions goals, renewable hydrogen’s role as a clean, versatile and abundant energy source will be indispensable.
ATCO’s work in this area not only benefits the local community but also demonstrates the potential broader adoption of hydrogen as a key component of the global energy mix. With continued innovation and collaboration, renewable hydrogen has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce and consume energy, paving the way for a sustainable and resilient future.
Featured image: ATCO’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub. Image: ATCO.
