Tonsley-produced hydrogen to be used in heating homes in Mitchell Park

The state’s hydrogen power rollout will start in May, with 700 southern suburbs houses to be heated partially with locally produced hydrogen at Tonsley.

Hydrogen will be pumped to 700 homes in suburban Adelaide from next month as a crucial test of the gas’s potential goes from theory to practice.

The Australian Gas Networks trial, using hydrogen produced at its HyP SA facility at Tonsley, will see 5 per cent hydrogen blended with natural gas for Mitchell Park homes.

The $11.4m facility is in the final stages of commissioning equipment.

“We’re on track to complete that by the end of this month,” AGN’s executive general manager customers and strategy Craig de Laine said. In early May, AGN will start filling large cylinders with hydrogen to be trucked across Australia.

Among the first customers will be industrial users in Whyalla which use a hydrogen-argon blend for welding.

Residential supply is slated to start in mid-May.

An artist’s impression of Hydrogen Park South Australia, including a 1.25MW electrolyser, blending equipment and tube and trailer facilities.

Mr De Laine said AGN also aimed to build a show home in Adelaide to demonstrate how domestic appliances for heating and cooking could be run on 100 per cent hydrogen.

The Tonsley trial is among projects to test practical issues for hydrogen. The gas burns without creating harmful greenhouse emissions and has been identified as a crucial lever in the fight against climate change, as reported by The Advertiser yesterday.

“Australia’s future hydrogen industry has the potential to generate up to 8000 new jobs by 2050, with exports estimated to be worth around $11bn a year,” federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said.

The Federal Government has allocated $70.2m to establish regional hydrogen hubs in partnership with industry and other nations. The Eyre Peninsula is among the frontrunners for the hub and details on the program are expected soon.