[ hydrogen blending ] gas pipelines spanning over 3.5 million miles in North America .
GHD has explored this issue in-depth in its recently released H2 Now report , which took a deep dive into ( 1 ) market readiness for hydrogen blending , ( 2 ) the role of communities and stakeholders to advance the technology , and ( 3 ) how to implement hydrogen into existing pipeline infrastructure .
Market readiness
Several key questions must be examined as companies consider the implementation of hydrogen blending . Challenges and limitations must be understood , as well as the steps needed to overcome them .
The hydrogen sector has advanced significantly over the past several years , and we are seeing its progress in action . Technological advancements , infrastructure developments , sectoral demand , and end-user adoption help show reassuring signs of the hydrogen industry ’ s advancement and readiness for widespread commercialization .
Technology and infrastructure advancements Advancements in hydrogen production , storage , and utilization technologies are notable , including significant progress in more efficient and costeffective electrolyzers and fuel cells . Establishing dedicated hydrogen delivery infrastructure within existing gaseous networks ensures reliable hydrogen transportation to end users , facilitating the industry ’ s scalability and market penetration .
One of the critical milestones in this transition is blending hydrogen in natural gas systems . Hydrogen blending is the injection of hydrogen into existing natural gas systems using widespread traditional infrastructure to provide cleaner energy to end users , such as power plants , industries , businesses , and communities .
Today , blend rates of 5 – 20 % hydrogen in existing gas distribution networks can be achieved without adversely affecting existing end-use industrial equipment and commercial and residential appliances . For conventional natural gas consumers , hydrogen and methane can be used for power generation and heating , effectively introducing hydrogen into society .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 15 | April 2024 31