Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) began rolling out a renewable gas blend in Gladstone this year. It’s an important step on their way to achieving 100 percent renewable and carbon-neutral gas in their distribution networks by 2050. The project began operations just over six months ago. It has managed to secure Gladstone a place as the first city to actually employ a fully integrated green hydrogen network. This project fits neatly into AGIG’s long term plan to increasingly roll out hydrogen projects in states across Australia.
The blended gas – delivered from AGIG’s South Australian production facility – contains a mix of conventional natural gas and green hydrogen. AGIG recognizes the future of energy is renewable. To date, it has successfully produced more than one tonne of green hydrogen. The company has announced ambitious plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Wodonga, Victoria. Once fully operational next year, it will be one of the largest green hydrogen production sites in the country!
Commitment to Renewable Energy
AGIG intends to make the transition to 100 percent renewable and carbon-neutral gas. This is a lofty and aspirational goal, but it demonstrates Georgia Power’s deep commitment to decarbonization and achieving a cleaner energy future. The company provided us with ambitious plans for major changes to its current operations. Additionally, these amendments will set a precedent for moving to distribute pure green hydrogen in the future.
Gladstone customers will have access to up to 15 percent blended gas without a premium. This transformative change is leading to faster adoption of cleaner, renewable energy across a broader customer base.
“This project is a real-world demonstration of the potential of renewable gas. It’s here, it’s real, it’s viable and it works,” – Cathryn McArthur, AGIG’s representative.
This project is clearly indicative of AGIG’s passionate dedication to renewable energy. Most importantly, it shows that green hydrogen can be easily blended into our current gas networks with little to no cost passed on to consumers.
Addressing Greenwashing Accusations
Yet, even with all of AGIG’s achievements, the company is still hit with greenwashing charges, a term used to describe exaggerated or false claims made about environmental benefits. AGIG response In response, McArthur said AGIG is ready to respond to claims of that kind. She focused on the need to make the case for renewable gas through real world application versus just goals on paper.
Other experts are skeptical about how much blended gas will actually reduce emissions, especially in the short term. As industry analyst Greg Metha recently explained, the current mix has only 10 percent green hydrogen. This tiny fraction is an encouraging sign—an incredible baseline starting point for what lies ahead.
“So in terms of how much impact it will have? The answer is not a lot,” – Greg Metha.
Metha saw huge opportunities to innovate in technology and infrastructure. These improvements are necessary to realize the full potential of green hydrogen in residential and industrial applications.
Future Prospects and Scaling Up
AGIG has announced an extensive roadmap to gradually increase the size and scope of its hydrogen projects across Australia. The company has been on a mission to increase its blending capacity. Today, its focus remains on eventually moving completely away from natural gas and to 100 percent green hydrogen.
McArthur stressed the importance of this project as a demonstration facility:
“This is a demonstration facility, so the purpose of this is to show [the technology] and for us to learn that it is technically possible to blend into a whole-of-city network.”
As AGIG continues to lead through innovation and grow its hydrogen programs AGIG has embodify AGIG strives to embolden. The new facility in Wodonga will be an important step toward Australia’s renewable energy transition. Gladstone’s network has successfully integrated green hydrogen, creating a promising precedent. This accomplishment lays the groundwork for more projects like it around the country.
