28-10-2020
News
The future of a renewable hydrogen industry has made excellent progress at Adelaide’s HyP SA as South Australia works towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Australian Gas Networks – part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group is responsible for building and operating this facility. The new facility, featuring the Siemens 1.25 MW Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser, utilises renewable electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen gas (up to 480kg per day).
The German-engineered unit is at the final stages of commissioning before it will supply blended renewable hydrogen and natural gas to the local network (around 710 properties). The facility will also supply hydrogen to wider industrial markets.
Read more on the progress here https://blendedgas.agn.com.au/project-progress
Our low emission targets in Australia are fast approaching and each of us in the gas industry must play our part to ensure no sector is left behind. This includes gas producers and distributors, gas product manufacturers and suppliers, as well as our installing and servicing gasfitters.
As reported in this NewsFlash and other editions, Australian gas suppliers have already initiated trials to inject Hydrogen into our gas supply and similar trials and research projects are being conducted in other countries around the world. If these trials prove to be successful as expected, we may see the transition to a low carbon or even no carbon hydrogen future sooner than the current 2050 targets
In view of this, AGA commissioned the AGA Hydrogen Test Centre last year at the AGA Laboratories in Melbourne to assist gas product manufacturers and suppliers with their Hydrogen testing needs. Many of AGA’s members have already used the test centre to find the optimal Hydrogen/Methane blend their appliances can tolerate. Further, 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.
The relevant Standards for the new LPG Cylinder and Appliance Connection have now been published. Accordingly, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers must take action and transition in accordance with the prescribed timeframes outlined in the Standards as well as published by the Gas Technical Regulators Committee.
AGA has been supporting and advocating the transition to a safer LPG connection since 2008, such as the QCC which has been proven in the North American and New Zealand markets. It has been a long journey given the various committees and industry associations involved, including AGA, in order to make this change, and we are pleased to see it come to fruition.
Given the numerous reference documents involved, we have provided the summary below for clarification:
The new connection has two parts – the cylinder part, and the appliance part. In the Standards each part is referenced as a Type 27 and in the GTRC Bulletin the term LCC27 (Leisure Cylinder Connection) has been introduced. Please see summary below:
Cylinder Outlet (“Type 27 Cylinder Outlet” or “LCC27 Cylinder Outlet”) This is the part of the cylinder valve which must comply with AS 2473.1 with regards to performance and AS 2473.2 with regards to dimensions and threads. In AS 2473.2 it is referred to as a Type 27 connection and its performance characteristics must comply with the UL 2061 requirements as referenced in AS 2473.1. In the GTRC Technical Guidance Bulletin, it is referred to as an “LCC27 Cylinder Outlet”.
Appliance Connector (“Type 27 Connection” or “LCC27 Appliance Connector”) This is usually the inlet connection of an LPG regulator certified to AS 4621 or the inlet connection of a hose assembly certified to AS/NZS 1869. This inlet connection must now comply with AS 4627 where it is defined as a “Type 27 connection”. The relevant appliance Standards such as AS/NZS 5263.1.7 for LPG barbecues as an example, now specifically reference the “Type 27 Connection”.
If you have any questions, please contact your AGA Client Manager for guidance and assistance.
To assist with the recovery from the impact of COVID-19, the Australian Government is providing support to all employers who engage a new Australian Apprentice.
The $1.2 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy will support businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery.
Any businesses or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice on or after 5th October 2020 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to an apprentice between 5th October 2020 and 30th September 2021, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.
This assistance will support 100,000 new apprentices across Australia, and is in addition to the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy announced earlier in the year, which is helping small and medium businesses to keep their apprentices and trainees in work and training.
For more information read the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements fact sheet:
https://www.employment.gov.au/supporting-apprentices-and-trainees
The following Standards have been published on the 1st October 2020:
AS/NZS 5263.0:2017 Amd 1:2020 (Gas appliances, Part 0: General requirements)
AS/NZS 5263.1.7:2020 (Gas appliances, Part 1.7: Domestic outdoor gas cooking appliances)
AS 4627:2017 Amd 1:2020 (Quick-connect devices for gas)
AS/NZS 1596:2014 Amd 2:2020 (The storage and handling of LP Gas)
AS 2473.1:2006 Amd 1:2020 (Valves for compressed gas cylinders – Specifications, type testing, and manufacturing tests and inspections)
AS 2473.2:2015 Amd 1:2020 (Valves for compressed gas cylinders, Part 2: Outlet connections (threaded) and stem (inlet) threads)
The transition dates for most of these Standards may be sooner than the usual period as advised during AGA Product Verification Audits. In view of this, affected Certificate Holders should put in their Applications as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition and that supply and compliance is not affected.
Please contact your AGA Client Manager of you have any questions.