The APA Group in Western Australia has received a $300,000 boost for its world-leading hydrogen research.
The APA study seeks to test the Parmelia Gas Pipeline’s 43-kilometer capacity to transport up to 100% hydrogen.
The WA Government has allocated funds for the project under the second round of its Renewable Hydrogen Fund to assist the next step of testing, based on positive results from the first round of testing.
APA Group Chief Executive and Managing Director Rob Wheals said today, “We are happy to receive funding from the WA Government on our ground-breaking hydrogen project.”
“If successful, this will not only be a first for the United States, but it will also be one of the few transmission pipelines in the world that has been verified to be capable of carrying up to 100% hydrogen.
“With billions of dollars spent around the country in gas infrastructure, it makes sense to look at ways to utilise our existing energy infrastructure to help Australia transition to a low-carbon future.”
The second round of testing is being carried out in collaboration with Future Fuels CRC at Australia’s specialized test hydrogen laboratory at the University of Wollongong. Under pressurized hydrogen circumstances, the pipeline material will be tested.
While the first round of testing proved the pipeline’s technical viability for transporting hydrogen, the second phase is expected to demonstrate the current gas transmission pipeline’s operational capabilities for transporting hydrogen in pure form or blended with natural gas.
Transmission of hydrogen at scale is vital to achieving the Australian Government’s hydrogen economy ambitions, as well as supporting the WA Government’s 10% hydrogen blending aim by 2030.
Mr Wheals added, “We see potential opportunities in the linkages that our existing infrastructure can provide to hydrogen production and usage sites,” citing the Parmelia Gas Pipeline as an example.
“The project is being completed in stages so that we may attain engineering excellence while also developing new safety standards.”
The project was the first to be revealed by APA as part of its Pathfinder Program, a new APA effort aimed at unlocking future energy solutions.
The Parmelia Gas Pipeline project is part of APA’s ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable future, including the company’s goal of achieving net zero operations emissions by 2050.
