Paving the way for National Hydrogen Strategy

19 June 2019: Johnson Winter and Slattery advised Energy Networks Australia on its recently announced report that confirmed hydrogen can be injected into the gas distribution network from a legislative perspective. The findings of the report will help inform the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy and could lay the foundations for a greener energy future.

The report, by Johnson Winter & Slattery Executive Partner Gordon Radford and Associate Jack Culbertson, analysed Commonwealth, state and territory legislative instruments and regulations to identify any regulatory roadblocks which would prevent a gas distributor from adding hydrogen to an existing natural gas network. No roadblocks were identified based on the legislation and regulation as at the time of the report.

The opportunities from hydrogen are immense, said Gordon Radford. By bringing hydrogen into gas networks, we would not only be creating a greener future with enhanced renewable energy generation, but creating a storage solution that could transform the Australian energy market.

The report follows Energy Networks Australia’s Gas Vision 2050 report, which suggested hydrogen could also provide more power choices for Australia’s consumers and deliver more options for mobility.

Energy Networks Australia is now working with the Future Fuels CRC and Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, who is leading the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy.

We are proud to have been able to support Energy Networks Australia on this important report and help pave the way for the next phase of the National Hydrogen Strategy, said Gordon.