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Mapping Australia’s gas regulations to enable future hydrogen and biomethane industry

March 24, 2021

Australia’s gas infrastructure is currently subject to regulations that were designed for a natural-gas only network system. Future Fuels CRC has released a full report and database of regulations to share exactly how Australia’s current gas regulations can be modernised to enable hydrogen, biomethane and other potential future fuels. 

This research thoroughly assessed Australia’s current regulatory framework to identify the regulations that will require modernisation to facilitate the use of future fuels within Australia’s energy networks and align them with the goals of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. This study builds on the initial work completed as part of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy and creates a comprehensive regulatory map of relevant legislation across the natural gas production and supply chain which may be impacted by the addition of future fuels such as hydrogen and biomethane. 

The research was delivered by RMIT, University of Sydney and GPA Engineering supported by our industry and government participants APA, APGA, ATCO, AusNet Services, ENA, Energy Safe Victoria, Jemena and the South Australian Government. 

The study’s report summarises the key issues and the direction of possible solutions. The study also created a database that holds details of legislation by state and territory, as well as Commonwealth legislation and applicable Australian standards. The database is designed to be readily updated as these regulations continue to evolve.  

The Australian energy industry and regulators benefit from this study by ensuring that any regulatory changes required for future fuels are identified early so that appropriate regulatory changes can be initiated and delivered. These changes will enable the many highly-regulated pilot projects happening across Australia to expand and develop under a modernised and effective regulatory environment.  

After briefing technical regulators, industry and government across Australia, Future Fuels CRC has now made publicly available the full report and database to further enable the wider development of future fuels across Australia:

Download full report and database 

 

About Future Fuels CRC 

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre is the industry focused Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) partnership enabling the decarbonisation of Australia’s energy networks. We work with over 80 partner organisations in a collaborative and connected research community embracing industry, academia and government.

Future Fuels CRC is supported through the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. We gratefully acknowledge the cash and in-kind support from all our research, government and industry participants.