Energy Networks Australia has welcomed the announcement today of additional funding for hydrogen projects.

The Commonwealth Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced today $1.28 million for Australian Gas Networks Limited (AGN) to establish the Australian Hydrogen Centre (AHC).

The AHC has also received support from the SA Government and the Victorian Government, with AusNet Services one of the founding members.

Energy Networks Australia CEO, Andrew Dillon, said the broad support of the AHC reinforced the role of energy networks in enabling a sustainable energy future.

“Hydrogen will play an important role in the energy transition as we adopt new technologies such as renewable generation to reduce emissions from the energy sector,” Mr Dillon said.

“The AHC will deliver a practical pathway for blending hydrogen into networks and will directly contribute to the delivery of the National Hydrogen Strategy.

“Flexible hydrogen production creates additional value streams for excess renewable electricity and can also be used to manage peak demand.

“Establishing a strong, domestic hydrogen industry will drive the development of Australia’s hydrogen export industry.

“Hydrogen technology is already being embraced around the world for domestic and commercial use in gas networks and to fuel passenger and freight trains.”

The update to Gas Vision 2050, released by Energy Networks Australia and the APGA, showed that over $180 million of funding had been committed for hydrogen infrastructure projects.

There is a global focus on hydrogen as the way forward with 19 separate hydrogen roadmaps underway or completed around the world, including Australia.