Plumbing Connection Winter 2022

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IAPMO Oceana, The IAPMO Group’s
Australia-based third-party product
testing and certification provider, in
partnership with the Plumbing Industry
Climate Action Centre (PICAC), recently
assembled more than 50 leaders from
the fields of science, engineering,
energy production and the plumbing
and gas fitting industry to participate
in a Hydrogen Roundtable at the Royal
Society of Victoria.
Hosted by Royal Society of Victoria’s
President Rob Gell, an authoritative
voice on the environment, the
roundtable featured keynote
presentations from AEMO, AGIG,
Climate Works, Countrywide Renewable
Energy, Siemens and Ampol. The
event commenced with an address
from Dr Alan Finkel, Special Adviser
to the Australian Government on Low
Emissions Technology and Chair of the
Technology Investment Advisory Council.
“Every day the benefits of hydrogen,
especially green hydrogen, which is
produced using renewable energy, are
becoming clearer,” said Paul Bonsak,
IAPMO Oceana managing director.
“We have some enormous natural
advantages here in Australia, and
especially in Victoria, with our gas
networks. There is a great deal going on
in the hydrogen space, and we need to
make sure we capture the intelligence
and share it. That is what the roundtable
was all about — bringing together the
people with the knowledge and ideas
about how we can turn hydrogen from a
bit player into a major player in terms of
the energy mix.”
Green hydrogen has enormous
potential as a domestic fuel source, and
industry feedstock and as an export
earner for Australia, according to the
participants. To reach its potential,
presenters stated, the industry must find
a path to scale up and develop the
products, systems and skills needed to
make the use of hydrogen mainstream.
The IAPMO Group tests and certifies
products and develops codes and
standards, including for gas- and —
in prospect — hydrogen-utilizing products,
that protect humankind on six continents.
“Consumers need time and confidence
to get used to the idea of hydrogen,”
Paul Bonsak said. “Products, especially
safe hydrogen products, are going to be
key to building consumer confidence
and to the success of this industry. That’s
IAPMO’s focus, but it is going to
take a variety of different parts of the
sector working together to make the
industry take off, including training,
which is where PICAC is so important,
but also regulation, government policy,
production, transport, the whole
supply chain.
That’s why we thought a roundtable
approach would help and it certainly
did. We have some real momentum and
clarity coming out of the discussions.”
Reflecting the fact reaching the potential
for hydrogen will be a joint effort
between government and industry, the
event culminated with a dinner
address from the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio
MP, Victorian minister for Energy,
Environment and Climate Change.
“The Roundtable was a great success,
with high levels of engagement
from participants,” Paul Bonsak said.
“Industry now has a better and shared
understanding of the current industry
blockers, and the enablers, and how,
as an industry, we can work together to
clear away roadblocks and find the path
to a green hydrogen future for Victoria
and Australia.”
For more information, please contact
IAPMO on 03 8684 9580 or visit
IAPMO AND PICAC
BRING INDUSTRY
HEAVYWEIGHTS TOGETHER TO
HELP REALIZE THE POTENTIAL
OF HYDROGEN
Photos by Blue Tree Studios
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