UEG Hydrogen Technology
Project scope
Australia’s target to reduce emissions will see the energy sector collectively facing significant challenges to achieve this target. One technology being considered is the inclusion of hydrogen in regular gas supply. Hydrogen trials are already underway in Australia to produce hydrogen using renewable energy and inject it into the gas networks. International and Australian trials of this emerging technology have indicated significant success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An additional benefit of Hydrogen Injection into gas distribution networks is ‘energy storage’. Electricity generated from renewable sources can be converted to Hydrogen via electrolysis.
The Gas IRC has proposed a project to review and develop Units of Competency and skill sets to address the skills needs of gas technicians handling hydrogen gas. This project will consider the results of national trials of hydrogen gas technologies to ensure the benefits of new technology are included within the future skills of all gas technicians.
The Gas Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will have oversight of this project, which will be facilitated by Australian Industry Standards (AIS) in consultation with industry stakeholders. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed for this project.
Regular updates will be posted on this page throughout the life of the project.
If you have any questions about this project, or are a subject matter expert and would like to be considered for the TAC for this project, please contact the Industry Skills Manager.
Deliverables
- Review ten existing Units of Competency.
- Develop six new Units of Competency.
- Develop three new skill sets.
Timeline
The Case for Endorsement is expected to be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee by 30 June 2021.
How to get involved
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed to provide expertise for this work. If you are a subject matter expert and would like to be considered for the TAC please contact the Industry Skills Manager.
Stakeholder feedback on draft training materials will be sought as part of the development phase of work.
Technical advisory committee
TAC ESTABLISHED
The Gas Industry Reference Committee (IRC) has established a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for this project.
Comprising 17 subject matter experts from Industry, Employer Associations and RTOs, the TAC has been tasked with:
- Providing specialist industry subject-matter knowledge regarding hydrogen gas technology to the review and development of Units of Competency, qualifications and Skill Sets
- Validating the technical content of the Training Package products
- Identifying relevant qualitative and quantitative data sources to inform the development of draft materials
- Reviewing feedback from stakeholders through public consultations
- Assisting in identifying and engaging broader industry networks to participate in consultation and/or validation activities during the duration of the project
- Offering advice and guidance to assist in informing the direction of the project throughout its duration.
- Making recommendations on the developed Training Package materials to the relevant IRC, which has the final decision-making authority
The TAC held its first meeting on 29 October 2020.
8 SEPTEMBER 2020
INDUSTRY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS NEEDED
Work on this project has commenced and the Gas IRC is forming a TAC.
Your industry expertise and insight are welcome to help review and develop Training Package materials to:
- review ten existing Units of Competency
- develop six new Units of Competency
- develop three new skill sets
- address the skills needs of gas technicians working with hydrogen gas.
TAC nominations closed on Tuesday, 22 September 2020.
For more information about this project please contact the Industry Manager.
Consultation
14 DECEMBER 2020
DRAFT MATERIAL
On behalf of the Gas Industry Reference Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has drafted materials for this project to address skills needs of gas technicians working with hydrogen and is requesting stakeholder feedback.
The materials include six new Units of Competency, three new Skill Sets and 13 updated existing Units of Competency.
The new units and Skill Sets are drafted specifically for hydrogen gas, whilst the existing units were updated to allow for hydrogen contextualisation as well as other gases.
Hydrogen trials are already underway in Australia to produce hydrogen using renewable energy and inject it into the gas networks. International and Australian trials of this emerging technology have indicated significant success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Feedback closed Friday, 29 January 2021.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
Quality Assurance
18 MAY 2021
FINAL DRAFT CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT
The draft Training Package materials have undergone independent edit and quality assurance and have been updated to address skills required to work safely with hydrogen, store and reinject gas in storage facilities, and install and operate data logging equipment.
The Case for Endorsement is scheduled to be submitted to the AISC in June 2021.
Validation
15 FEBRUARY 2021
FINAL DRAFT MATERIAL
On behalf of the Gas Industry Reference Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has considered all stakeholder feedback and is now seeking validation of revised draft materials.
The revised Training Package addresses the skills needs of gas technicians working with hydrogen. The draft materials include six new Units of Competency, three new Skill Sets and 13 updated units. The new Units of Competency and Skill Sets have been drafted specifically for hydrogen gas, and the existing units were updated to allow for hydrogen contextualisation as well as other gases. The existing Units of Competency for commissioning distribution and transmission pipelines and constructing and laying polyethylene distribution mains have been approved for inclusion in this project.
Additional information:
The new Units of Competency will be contained in the Certificate III and IV in Gas Supply Operations, except for UEGNSG982Y Apply safety practices, procedures, and compliance standards for handling hydrogen gas which will be added to the Certificate II and III in Gas Supply Operations, and UEGNSG978Y Monitor and control hydrogen in gas distribution networks and UEGNSG983Y Undertake routine hydrogen storage operations which will be added to the Certificate III in Gas Supply Operations only. All new Units of Competency will be added as electives in the respective qualifications.
Feedback closed Wednesday, 3 March 2021.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
Submission
24 NOVEMBER 2021
The Gas Industry Training Package (Release 3.0) has been endorsed by the Skills Ministers for implementation.
The Gas Industry Reference Committee, with support form Technical Advisory Committees, has developed six new Units of Competency, three new Skill Sets and updated 13 units. The new Units of Competency and Skill Sets have been drafted specifically for hydrogen gas, and the existing units were updated to allow for hydrogen contextualisation as well as other gases. The revised Training Package addresses the skills needs of gas technicians working with hydrogen.
To read more about the drivers for this project, please click on the Project Overview tab.
To support the delivery of the Training Package, a Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has been developed to assist assessors, trainers, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and enterprises. The CVIG contains a comprehensive list of all products in the Training Package; mapping information which details the changes that have been made to the materials; regulation and licensing implications; and useful links to other information.
The approved UEG Gas Industry Training Package Release 3.0 is now available on training.gov.au.
This release includes the below listed projects:
The following materials were approved:
Qualifications:
UEG20121 Certificate II in Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG30121 Certificate III in Gas Supply Industry Operations
UEG40221 Certificate IV in Gas Supply Industry Operations
New/Revised Units
UEGNSG102 Prepare safe design specifications of a gas system
UEGNSG205 Commission or decommission gas distribution pipelines
UEGNSG206 Construct and lay copper and stainless steel gas distribution pipelines
UEGNSG208 Construct and lay large copper gas distribution pipelines
UEGNSG209 Construct and lay polyethylene gas distribution mains
UEGNSG211 Construct and lay steel gas distribution pipelines
UEGNSG214 Coordinate and conduct gas distribution pipeline repair and modifications
UEGNSG215 Coordinate construction, laying and testing of gas distribution pipelines
UEGNSG303 Carry out transmission pipeline construction work activities
UEGNSG304 Commission or decommission gas transmission pipelines
UEGNSG306 Control gas processing, storage or regasification operations in an LNG storage facility
UEGNSG307 Coordinate the operation of relevant plant and equipment for transmission pipeline construction
UEGNSG309 Coordinate transmission pipeline construction operations
UEGNSG312 Inject gas into underground storage
UEGNSG313 Monitor and operate flow control, pressure measuring and regulating devices for gas transmission
UEGNSG315 Withdraw gas from underground storage
UEGNSG316 Work in proximity of transmission pipeline construction plant and equipment
UEGNSG509 Remotely monitor and operate gas transmission flow and pressure measuring and regulating devices
UEGNSG701 Disconnect and reconnect data logging equipment
UEGNSG702 Disconnect and reconnect small capacity gas meters
UEGNSG703 Fault find and repair data logging equipment
UEGNSG704 Install and commission data logging equipment
UEGNSG707 Process data logging information
UEGNSG709 Process meter reading information using appropriate technology
UEGNSG710 Read and record meter readings
UEGNSG715 Use data logging equipment
UEGNSG901 Apply safety practices, procedures, and compliance standards for handling hydrogen gas
UEGNSG902 Commission, operate and maintain electrolysers
UEGNSG903 Fault find and repair hydrogen storage equipment
UEGNSG904 Inject hydrogen gas into distribution networks
UEGNSG905 Monitor and control hydrogen in gas distribution networks
UEGNSG906 Undertake routine hydrogen storage operations
30 JUNE 2021
CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT SUBMITTED TO AISC
The Gas Industry Reference Committee has submitted the Case for Endorsement and draft Training Package materials to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) for their consideration.
If approved, this Case for Endorsement will result in 14 new Units of Competency and three new Skill Sets, three updated qualifications and 18 revised units.
Thank you to all stakeholders who provided valuable feedback and contributed to this project.
Shaun Thomas
Industry Skills Specialist - ESI Generation, Gas Supply