Hydrogen for all? Household energy vulnerability and the transition to hydrogen in Australia

Energy supply side policy in Australia currently advocates a role for hydrogen as a key part of decarbonising gas, including in the residential sector. However, there has been little focus to date on demand side issues and, in particular, the impact of a transition to hydrogen on vulnerable consumers. Vulnerability in the energy sector is the result of a complex interplay of structural and individual factors, and there is growing cross-sectoral concern that without careful consideration, existing vulnerabilities may be exacerbated in the low-carbon energy transition. While energy vulnerability in the decarbonisation of electricity has received attention, limited research exists on the potential impacts of a transition to hydrogen fuel in the domestic sector for consumers. At a national level there are plans, and pilot projects underway, to inject hydrogen into domestic natural gas supplies, beginning with low percentage blends of hydrogen and moving towards 100% hydrogen ultimately produced by renewable energy. This project investigated what is currently known, and what still needs to be known, about the potential impacts of decarbonising Australia’s residential gas with hydrogen on energy vulnerability, drawing on existing literature and key stakeholder views from the energy industry, government and social advocacy groups. The findings from this preliminary study reveal critical knowledge gaps in the field which must be addressed if an equitable transition to low-carbon gaseous fuels in Australia's residential sector is to be achieved. Five research options are made to help fill these knowledge gaps.