Industry news
Understand the
hydrogen hype From the science labs to the suburbs, hydrogen is officially here. Kathryn Kernohan interviews the experts to find out how it will impact our industry and our world.
The world’s most abundant, efficient and cleanest burning substance is gaining more and more prominence as Australia explores ways to meet its target of zero net emissions by 2050. With hydrogen now being used in part to power households, cars and barbecues across the country, the sky is the limit as to how far the clean, green alternative fuel can take us. And with a National Hydrogen Strategy guiding Australia’s short and long-term futures, it is clear that hydrogen will play a major role in Australia for generations to come. So, what does the plumbing industry need to know and what role can it play as part of the transition towards a zero-emissions future? Dr Alan Finkel (pictured opposite page), who served as Australia’s Chief Scientist between 2016 and 2020 and is now the Special Adviser to the Australian Government on low-emissions technology, says having plumbers and gasfitters upskilled to work with hydrogen will be critical. “Producing hydrogen by splitting water is simple in principle, but complex in practice. Each large-scale electrolyser needs a lot of skilled work to connect it to balance off plant equipment such as air conditioning, 8 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2022
water deionisation units, hydrogen gas compressors and pipelines,” he explains. “Unlike solar panels, the pumps, valves, compressors and air conditioning systems will require regular maintenance. If building and industrial heating shifts from natural gas to hydrogen, there will be considerable work required to upgrade the appliances and in-building pipes.” Hydrogen can be produced as a gas or liquid and can be delivered through existing gas pipelines. Green hydrogen, which is entirely emissions-free, is produced by a renewable energy-fueled electrolyser that sends an electric current through water to split hydrogen from oxygen. Over time, and with modifications to existing gas networks and appliances, hydrogen has the potential to replace natural gas for everyday activities like domestic cooking as well as heating and hot water. The National Hydrogen Strategy, released in 2019 and developed by a Taskforce led by Dr Finkel, sets out a vision for a clean, innovative, safe and competitive hydrogen industry. The strategy outlines the piloting, trialing and demonstration of hydrogen projects before large-scale market activation from 2025 onwards.