Frontier, AGIG to inject hydrogen in Aussie gas pipe
Australian companies Frontier and AGIG (Australian Gas Infrastructure Group) have entered into a collaboration agreement to collaborate on the injection of a specific percentage of hydrogen into the Mainline South section of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) in Western Australia, Frontier said on May 16.
The DBNGP connects the gas fields near Dampier with markets in the south west region, terminating in Bunbury. The collaboration aims to make joint submissions to the relevant government departments in Western Australia regarding the hydrogen injection project.
AGIG conducted a feasibility study in 2022, which concluded that the pipeline adjacent to the project site (Mainline South) is capable of injecting up to 9% hydrogen without significant modifications. The initial stage of the project will involve injecting less than 1% hydrogen into the DBNGP based on the average minimum daily flow.
In October 2022, amendments to the National Gas Law and Regulations were agreed upon by energy ministers, bringing hydrogen blends, biomethane, and other renewable gases under the national gas regulatory framework. The Western Australian government has set a target of blending up to 10% hydrogen with natural gas in the state's gas network.
Frontier and AGIG will also commence a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the hydrogen injection facility and blending station.
Frontier's managing director, Sam Lee Mohan, emphasised the importance of the collaboration in advancing the hydrogen industry in Western Australia. He highlighted the support of the WA government and the need for legislative amendments to accelerate the development of the green hydrogen sector.
AGIG has been a pioneer in blending hydrogen with natural gas in Australia. It operates Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA), located at the Tonsley Innovation District in Mitchell Park. HyP SA is the first project in Australia to produce renewable hydrogen gas.
Since May 2021, HyP SA has been delivering a 5% renewable gas blend to over 700 gas customers in Mitchell Park. AGIG also supplies industry through tube trailers, which are long storage tubes transported on semi-trailers, and they have plans to supply the transport sector in the future. In March 2023, AGIG expanded the project area to include an additional 3,000 gas connections, encompassing households, businesses, and schools.
HyP SA serves as a demonstration of renewable hydrogen production and blending technology within an Australian context.