Jemena unites with ANT in NSW hydrogen project

Energy infrastructure company Jemena has engaged with ANT Energy Solutions in a pilot program implementing the first electrolyser in NSW that will utilise renewable energy to produce green gas for cooking, heating and hot water in homes and businesses.

The 500 kW electrolyser will be located in Western Sydney and the technology will utilise solar and wind power to create carbon-neutral hydrogen gas to be stored in the Jemena Gas Network.

Renewable energy company ANT Energy Solutions is a Melbourne-based company involved in the expansion of hydrogen supply through the development of modular-based systems. Director Noel Dunlop says the Jemena project is one of the key demonstrators in Australia on the continued journey towards renewable hydrogen and its acceptance in the mainstream.

“It will help educate the public on how hydrogen can play a role in the energy mix of the future, including helping facilitate hydrogen transport, which is not that far away,” said Dunlop. “This and many more projects are critical steps in bringing Australia up to where the international community already is, including countries such as Germany, the United States and Canada.”

The electrolyser, developed in Belgium and Canada by Hydrogenics and brought to Australia by ANT Energy Solutions, will drive Jemena’s Western Sydney Green Gas Project — a $15 million trial co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The project will produce renewably generated hydrogen gas for use in NSW homes and businesses within the next five years. Importantly, the project will demonstrate the co-mingling, storage and distribution of hydrogen and natural gas in the existing network, which has the capacity to store the equivalent of 8 million Powerwall batteries.

In doing so, the project will test intermittent and variable energy conversion to renewable gas, providing on-demand energy in the gas distribution network.

We are making a significant investment in technology to bring clean, safe and sustainable green gas to customers,” said Jemena’s Gabrielle Sycamore, General Manager, Strategy and Commercial, Gas Distribution.

“Gas is vital to Australian companies and communities. Gas fuels the $196 billion mining and manufacturing industry, and powers approximately 6.5 million homes. However, customer demands are changing and we are working towards delivering low- and zero-carbon solutions, such as hydrogen and biomethane, to support the NSW Government’s objective of net zero emissions by 2050,” said Sycamore.

In addition, Jemena will make excess hydrogen gas available to the vehicle and transport sector, and is currently working with councils, partners and stakeholders to ensure public and private fleets can take advantage of the flourishing hydrogen mobility industry.