Hydrogen Park Murray Valley supports Australia’s Hydrogen Strategy and the national target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by no later than 2050.

Benefits of hydrogen and blended gas

Australia’s energy system relies on a range of sources, with natural gas and liquid fuels (petrol and diesel) used for more than double the energy provided by electricity. As we move towards net zero emissions, maintaining diverse sources of energy can help underpin energy security, reliability and affordability.

Like natural gas, hydrogen can be used to heat buildings, for cooking and hot water. Unlike natural gas or petrol, when used, hydrogen produces heat and water vapour – no carbon emissions.

Decarbonising natural gas through renewable sources such as hydrogen and biomethane means customers can retain their choice of energy supplier, and those industries relying on gas can continue to access it.

Hydrogen also has other benefits such as:

• being used as a transport fuel
• providing a way to store renewable electricity
• being able to generate renewable electricity through fuel cells and turbines
• being a desirable product overseas, enabling a new export industry

How much difference will hydrogen blending make to emissions?

A blend of up to 10% (by volume) renewable hydrogen helps to lower carbon emissions relatively quickly without changes to appliances, pipes and meters.

Hydrogen Park Murray Valley will reduce carbon emissions by more than 3,500 tonnes, the equivalent to removing more than 1,300 passenger vehicles from the road.

What opportunities will the project bring to Albury and Wodonga?

Hydrogen Park Murray Valley has the potential to deliver a new energy source for industry and for transport, such as refuelling trucks. There is also the possibility of delivering oxygen, a by-product from the hydrogen production process, to supply to the West Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Residents and businesses connected to the gas distribution network in and around Albury Wodonga, from Jindera to Tangambalanga will receive up to 10% (by volume) blended gas.

If you are in the blended gas project area and connected to the natural gas network, you do not need to do anything as part of the project. You will automatically receive the blended gas and continue to receive the same high level of gas supply reliability and safety. Importantly, your existing arrangements with gas retailers will continue.

Current residential appliances, gas pipes and the existing gas distribution network can continue to run on a renewable gas blend without any adjustments.

If you are unsure how this project applies to you, please contact us.

Gas volume on your meter

Hydrogen has a lower heating value than natural gas, this means hydrogen carries slightly less energy for the same volume. As a result, customers will need a slightly higher volume of blended gas to provide the same amount of energy compared to using natural gas. AGN will make a billing adjustment to ensure customers pay no more than natural gas. If you have questions about your billing that haven't been answered here, contact us.

No impact on network or appliances

Our networks are made of polyethylene and are suitable for transporting a hydrogen blended gas.

Your appliances will continue to work safely and reliably on up to 10% blended gas (by volume).

The characteristics of the blended gas supplied as part of this project are consistent with those set out for natural gas within the Australian Standard.

Any appliances sold in Australia are subject to testing to ensure they work safely and reliably with natural gas. They are tested with varying gas compositions to account for the varying sources of natural gas supplied around Australia. One of these “limit” gas compositions already contains 13% hydrogen, and therefore all certified household gas appliances sold in Australia have undergone a range of safety tests with this level of hydrogen.

There has been extensive research and several projects in Australia and overseas in relation to the blending of hydrogen with natural gas and its use in appliances.

• In South Australia we are delivering an up to 5% (by volume) renewable gas blend to about 4,000 customers, with a proposal to deliver 10% (by volume) blended gas to the Queensland town of Gladstone
• Jemena’s Western Sydney Green Gas project started blending renewable gas to customers in 2021
• Projects in the Netherlands, UK and France are using hydrogen at up to 20% volume for hundreds of customers
• a project in Germany has successfully blended up to 10% hydrogen by volume

"Hydrogen can be safely added to natural gas supplies at 10% by volume without changes to pipelines, appliances or regulations. Over time, and with modifications to the existing gas networks and appliances, hydrogen can completely replace natural gas for domestic cooking, heating and hot water." A report for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG)

Regulations and approvals

At AGN, we are experts in safely and reliably developing and operating gas infrastructure. Our commitment to safety underpins all we do, and we must be satisfied that our renewable gas projects are safe before first production.

The properties of hydrogen are well known and there is a significant body of evidence on its safe handling, including from industries that have produced, transported and used hydrogen for more than 100 years.

Blended gas, comprising natural gas and hydrogen, is already being used safely around the world in homes and businesses. Customers should not notice any difference in the quality, safety or reliability in gas, nor should there be any noticeable difference in flame colour or gas smell.

We are subject to regulation by government bodies, which are designed to ensure our commitment to safety, reliability and service continues. We will have all necessary approvals in place before production begins.

Using hydrogen and natural gas safely

Hydrogen, like other fuels, is flammable and this is a key reason it can provide us with energy. It also means we need to treat hydrogen and blended gas with respect, as we do natural gas, electricity, petrol and other energy carriers.

Blending up to 10% renewable hydrogen (by volume) won’t change the approach to safety that is currently in place. The blended gas will still retain the distinctive natural gas smell that allows you to detect any leak.

You should continue to follow the same safety principles you do with your natural gas supply, ensuring your appliances are installed correctly and maintained. Importantly, if you ever smell gas or think there is a leak, you should report it.

Reporting a gas leak

If you ever smell gas in the street or on your property before or from your gas meter you should call our Leaks and Emergency Services on 1800 GAS LEAK (1800 427 532) to locate and repair the leak.

If you think the leak is after the meter on a section of pipe work connecting your appliances, or on the appliance itself, you should contact a licensed gas fitter to fix the problem. Remember, any person undertaking work involving gas must be appropriately licensed.

Learn more about gas leaks and emergencies.

If you have questions about safety that haven't been answered here, please read our Fact Sheet FAQs or contact us.