30-03-2021
News
Another big hydrogen step has been successfully taken in Queensland with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last week with a major Japanese company in Gladstone, Queensland.
The Sumitomo Corporation has entered into a partnership with Queensland and local enterprises to develop Australia’s first hydrogen ecosystem in central Queensland.
This initiative is another major step towards Australia becoming a leading exporter of reliable renewable energy. The Japanese government was one of the first to commit to a target of zero carbon emissions by 2050 and, given that Japan is the third largest economy in the world, the partnership between the Sumitomo Corporation and local enterprises is a major step forward in developing the Australian hydrogen industry. Other signatories to the MOU include the Gladstone Ports Corporation, Gladstone Regional Council, CQUniversity Australia and Australian Gas Industry Group.
The Gladstone region is well very placed to advance this project as it boasts publically-owned ports providing access to international and domestic markets, an abundant supply of water for producing hydrogen from renewables, exceptional solar radiance and all the necessary infrastructure to become a world class hub for renewable hydrogen production.
The Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone, The Hon Glenn Butcher said “by 2030, Queensland will need a fully integrated, export-scale hydrogen supply chain if we are to meet the demand from countries like Japan.”
The Gladstone Hydrogen Ecosystem design study is targeted to commence next month.
The development of an integrated hydrogen industry heralds a turning point not only for the Australian gas industry, but for Australia’s ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, hopefully, development of a comprehensive energy policy to set the parameters for the successful transition to a zero emissions economy.
As Australian gas suppliers ramp up the trials with injecting Hydrogen into our Natural gas supply, the transition to a low carbon hydrogen future is fast approaching.
Over the last 2 years, AGA’s Hydrogen Test Centre has assisted several gas product manufacturers and suppliers with their Hydrogen testing needs. The manufacturers have been assessing their gas products to find the optimal Hydrogen/Methane blend their appliances can tolerate. Indeed, some have also developed 100% Hydrogen appliances in anticipation of the transition from natural gas to natural gas/hydrogen blends and eventually 100% carbon-free emission hydrogen
If you would like assistance with the development of your appliances to operate on Hydrogen or Hydrogen/Methane blends, please contact the AGA Laboratory Manager, Dennis Karafotias at lab@aga.asn.au.
From the 1st April 2021 the first transition period for the cylinder connection from a POL to an LCC begins. Cylinder valve Certificate Holders must update their Certifications to meet the transition periods and to avoid supply issues.
As mentioned in our previous NewsFlash, it is a requirement for Certificate Holders to ensure Certifications are up to date to the most recent version of the relevant Standard.
Standards are regularly reviewed by Standards Australia technical committees to ensure these documents:
* remain relevant;
* are improved to address ambiguities / deficiencies;
* keep up with new technologies; and
* include additional consumer safety requirements based on real life market experience.
In Australia, the Rules allow a period of 2 years from the publication date (unless otherwise directed by a Regulatory Authority) for Certificates to be updated. Certificates that do not meet this requirement no longer satisfy regulatory requirements as outlined in “THE RULES”. In such cases, this means the status and validity of the Certificate will be subject to review.
Please check your Certificate(s) and lodge your Application for Standards upgrade on-line at https://www.aga.asn.au/application-for-certification/.
If you have any queries, please contact our office for further guidance.
Energy Australia has brought forward the closure of the Yallourn Power Station in Victoria by four years to 2028 to transition to cleaner energy that will benefit climate change aspirations whilst benefitting both the workforce and Latrobe Valley communities. The plan is to lock in energy storage capacity before Yallourn is retired to ensure a smooth transition.
Energy Australia plans to introduce a new battery which will be the largest battery operating anywhere in the world and will ensure customers will continue to receive reliable energy. This new energy storage facility will enable and encourage more renewables to enter the system and, at the same time demonstrate that coal-fired power can seamlessly exit the market.
Energy Australia has a stated goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 and Yallourn’s retirement will reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 60 per cent relative to today, accelerating its carbon neutral ambition.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced an extension of the government’s apprenticeship wage subsidy program for another 12 months and has added an extra $1.2bn investment towards the scheme.
Under the scheme businesses that engage one or more apprentices between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy for a 50% wage subsidy for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. Under this program there is no cap on the number of eligible trainees/apprentices.
It is estimated the expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places, with the government investing around $1.2 billion.
DR AS 4617:2018 Amd 1:2021 (Manually operated gas valves) is open for public comment until the 20th April 2021.
If you would like to submit any comments, go to the Standards Australia website by clicking on the following link: Click Here