Firstgas is one step closer to commencing New Zealand’s first hydrogen blending pilot with WorkSafe granting two exemptions to Firstgas to enable the project to move forward.

James Irvine, GM Future Fuels at Clarus, said this is a key milestone for the project as it provides the regulatory framework for Firstgas and our partners to safely conduct the blending pilot in the next few months.

“However, we still have a few more boxes to tick off the project list before the project can start and a date is yet to be confirmed,” said.

The pilot project will involve blending a small amount of green hydrogen with natural gas into the existing natural gas pipeline in Te Horo. 

Hydrogen blending in homes and businesses has been successfully used in the USA, Japan, India, and the UK. In Australia blended hydrogen has been supplying 2,700 homes since 2022 and is likely to expand from 2025.

Irvine said Te Horo was selected due to its small and accessible location and pipeline compatibility.

“We are currently working with up to 15 households who will use the blended gas in their home appliances.”

Hydrogen will be blended into the natural gas pipeline incrementally, starting at two percent and moving up to a maximum of 15 percent. The final composition of the blended gas will be measured and controlled to ensure all safety requirements of the pilot are met.

“The beauty of blending a small percentage of hydrogen with natural gas is that gas appliances will operate as they usually do, meaning everyone will still enjoy all the normal benefits associated with their standard natural gas supply.

“The technology to inject hydrogen is already available, well-established overseas and ready to demonstrate in New Zealand,” Irvine said.

"Everything is safety checked and installation can proceed as soon as we have finalised details with our natural gas customers and suppliers involved in the project.

“In the future hydrogen in pipelines could provide a low carbon option for homes, businesses and industry and for the energy sector it represents an additional source of clean energy to displace emissions.

“We can use our existing infrastructure, expertise and pipeline networks across the North Island, giving us the opportunity to learn, understand, and collaboratively progress the role of renewable gas in New Zealand.”