Construction works start at HyP SA green hydrogen facility

• The South Australian shift toward renewable power has witnessed a new considerable step forward. The construction is starting at a major clean hydrogen project south of Adelaide. The facility is announced to feature the largest PEM electrolyzer in Australia.

South Australia has performed a new huge move toward green power. Adelaide-based company Australian Gas Networks has started construction of Hydrogen Park South Australia in Tonsley, a southern suburb of Adelaide. This will be the advanced facility for producing clean hydrogen meant for blending with natural gas. The mixture is to be delivered to local businesses and dwellings through the existing gas pipeline. 

At the beginning of 2020, the facility is scheduled to be equipped with a 1.25-megawatt polymer-electrolyte membrane electrolyzer. Hydrogen production is expected to begin by the middle of the year. During the five years’ period, the hydrogen from HyP SA mixed with natural gas is to be supplied to over 700 buildings in neighboring Mitchell Park with no extra charge. 

To start with, the developer hopes to achieve 5-percent hydrogen blend within the general GHG emission reduction target. This venture is being implemented in terms of AGN’s ambition to reach totally green gas. The energy company is inclined to create more hydrogen parks to provide SA and other regions throughout the country with more hydrogen blend through its gas pipelines. Besides, the gas network operator is considering alternative hydrogen applications in industry-scale and transportation sectors.

The pilot project by AGN is worth 11.4m Australian dollars, 4.9m of which has been provided by the government of SA. Not long ago, Australia has adopted the National Hydrogen Strategy. The program is meant to secure the country with renewable energy, expand its export industry and provide lots of job opportunities. Earlier, Hydrogen Action Plan was introduced is the state of SA. The incentive program was developed to support local green power sector.