India’s biggest hydrogen blending with natural gas project underway by Adani Group

The Adani Group has begun blending green hydrogen with natural gas in pockets of Ahmedabad. The objective of Adani Group is to offer the mixed gas to the households for cooking in an effort to reduce emissions and support net-zero goals.

Adani Total Gas Ltd is a joint venture between the group and French energy company TotalEnergies. The company has started mixing 2.2-2.3% of green hydrogen with piped natural gas in the Shantigram area of Ahmedabad. The information has been revealed on social media site LinkedIn through a post.

Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy like wind or solar to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, is being introduced into natural gas pipelines. The resulting blend is used for cooking and industrial purposes, helping to generate heat and power with fewer emissions compared to natural gas alone.

Adani-Total Gas Ltd (ATGL) stated in the post, “We are thrilled to announce the successful commissioning of our Hydrogen Blending System and in-situ Hydrogen Generation at Adani Shantigram, Ahmedabad.”

The company added, “This project will provide uninterrupted hydrogen-blended natural gas to 4,000 domestic and commercial consumers.”

The Adani Group plans to increase the proportion of green hydrogen in its natural gas supply to 5%, with a goal of reaching 8% in the future. The supply, which is currently limited to Shantigram, will expand to other parts of Ahmedabad and eventually to additional areas where the company holds city gas distribution licenses.

Green hydrogen, known for having zero carbon emissions, is often touted as a fuel of the future. However, its corrosive nature poses challenges for pipelines and equipment. Despite this, studies have shown that blending up to 10% hydrogen with natural gas does not damage pipelines or equipment. Blends of up to 30% are achievable with modifications to the material grade and wall thickness of the pipelines and equipment.

Currently, state-owned power conglomerate NTPC is supplying green hydrogen blended natural gas to households in Kawas area of Surat district in Gujarat. Similarly, GAIL is also executing a small pilot in Indore to supply CNG mixed with grey hydrogen.