DNV on March 11 said it is helping Energy Networks Australia (ENA) to enable the blending of renewable and decarbonised gases into latter’s networks by 2030, and de-risk conversion of the networks to 100% renewable and decarbonised gas by 2050.  

DNV and ENA, the national industry body representing Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks, have started work to develop ‘A National Plan for Decarbonising Gas Networks’. It is co-funded by the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA), the body representing Australasia’s pipeline infrastructure. 

Advertisement: The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) NGC’s HSSE strategy is reflective and supportive of the organisational vision to become a leader in the global energy business. ngc.co.tt

The project has kicked off and will run to June 2021, DNV said, with three main targets under ENA’s Gas Vision 2050: enable blending of up to 10% (volume) of renewable and decarbonised gases by 2030, enable 100% renewable and decarbonised gas supply to new residential developments before 2030, and de-risk a full network conversion to 100% renewable and decarbonised gases by 2050.  

“All decarbonised gas options will be considered in the project, including blue and green hydrogen, biomethane and renewable gas,” DNV said. 

There has been a rise in interest in hydrogen in Australia. Federal and state governments are pledging significant funding to pursue hydrogen as a fundamental part of the country’s low carbon energy needs for the future. 

“Gas network businesses are demonstrating how hydrogen and biomethane can provide low-carbon heating, hot water and cooking services to Australian homes and businesses. The plan will outline the key role for networks and pipelines to reduce emissions,” said Dennis Van Puyvelde, head of gas, ENA. 

DNV recently combined its oil and gas and power and renewables businesses into one new division called Energy Systems. 

“This really demonstrates that governments and industry will need to work together to realise the hydrogen economy,” said Brice Le Gallo, regional director of Energy Systems APAC. “Projects like this one, looking to switch gas networks from natural gas to hydrogen and greener gases can allow energy providers to continue using infrastructure and avoid the cost of having to build electric substitutes.”