A plan to blend Waikato-generated hydrogen into local natural gas supplies, before switching to delivering 100 per cent
hydrogen by 2050, will create a new 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 Waikato’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 many 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 Waikato 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 Waikato, 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 three potential Waikato bases for hydrogen generation in Pokuru, Rotowaro and Kiwitahi. The sites
are best suited because of proximity to the gas and electricity networks and water supplies. Newly-built electrolyser
plants would 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 Waikato 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 a 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.nzENDS