Gas Plan Boosts Taupō Energy Hub

A plan to blend Taupō -generated hydrogen into local natural gas supplies, before switching to delivering 100 per cent hydrogen by 2050, will boost the local energy economy according to Firstgas Group, which operates the natural gas pipe networks in the North Island and owns Rockgas, an LPG supply and distribution business.

A report released by Firstgas this week details Taupō’s role in a nationwide change over the next thirty years toward zero carbon gases.

Based on the report, Firstgas Group says it can phase in natural gas blends of up to 20 per cent hydrogen from 2030, while a full switch to hydrogen-only could be completed nationwide by 2050.

Hydrogen Project Leader, Angela Ogier, said the change to hydrogen could create dozens of jobs in a potential new regional energy industry: making hydrogen to power factories, homes and transport as well as to store energy for periods of high demand.

The report found that gas infrastructure in Taupō is made of modern materials and equipment that can be repurposed to supply green hydrogen – a zero carbon alternative to natural gas.

The hydrogen can be made in Taupō, mixed into natural gas, and distributed by pipeline to commercial customers such as those in agriculture, horticulture, and hospitality, and to residential customers.

Ogier said, “Businesses and households will not need to change their gas appliances just yet to accommodate the blending of hydrogen into natural gas. They will have twenty years or more to switch to hydrogen-friendly appliances when old equipment reaches the end of its life.”

The report identifies Taupō as a potential base for hydrogen generation. The site is best suited because of proximity to the gas and electricity networks and water supplies. Newly-built electrolyser plants will use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

“Changing to zero or low-emission gases would mean more energy options for local consumers, and a totally new industry in the local economy,” explained Ogier.

“The hydrogen would be made by new businesses, hiring local workers and suppliers. It would be blended into the local network without customers needing to change equipment just yet.

“The plan is to start gradually, generating enough Taupō hydrogen to blend into natural gas, and producing enough by 2050 to displace natural gas entirely.

“At that point, we envisage hydrogen would also be fuelling totally new uses such as powering trains, buses and trucks.”

Ogier said the addition of hydrogen to the local energy industry would increase the ability of the region to handle fluctuations in demand and supply, and outages, across all types of energy.

The next stages of work include collaboration with companies interested in building hydrogen generators, identifying blending systems, pricing studies and fine-tuning with large gas customers.

For more information visit www.gasischanging.co.nz

ENDS

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