The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, has taken a significant step towards a greener future by launching India’s largest hydrogen blending program. This groundbreaking initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero targets, involves mixing green hydrogen into the natural gas supplied to homes. The program has kicked off in Shantigram, Ahmedabad, where Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL) is blending 2.2-2.3% green hydrogen into piped natural gas for cooking purposes.
ATGL, a joint venture between Adani Group and French energy company TotalEnergies, shared the announcement on LinkedIn. This marks a major shift towards sustainable energy usage in households, with plans to expand this blending further in the near future.
How Green Hydrogen is Made
Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. The process involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis. The resulting hydrogen is then added to the natural gas pipelines, which supply homes and industries with gas for cooking. This mix helps generate heat and electricity with lower emissions.
According to ATGL, this project will benefit around 4,000 domestic and commercial consumers in the Shantigram area by providing uninterrupted hydrogen-blended natural gas. The company is proud to announce the successful launch of this hydrogen blending system and in-situ hydrogen generation in Ahmedabad.
Expansion Plans and Other Players in the Market
Currently, the blending of green hydrogen with natural gas is also being carried out by NTPC, a government power company, in Kawas, Surat district. Additionally, GAIL (India) Limited has started a small pilot project in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for supplying CNG mixed with gray hydrogen. However, ATGL’s project in Ahmedabad is the largest of its kind in India so far.
The company plans to gradually increase the blending ratio to 5% and then to 8%. Over time, they intend to expand the supply beyond Shantigram to other parts of Ahmedabad and eventually to all the areas where they hold city gas distribution licenses.
Benefits of Hydrogen Blending
Blending hydrogen into natural gas is a key step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it also helps improve energy security. ATGL’s initiative aligns with India’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and transition towards cleaner energy sources. The CEO of ATGL, Suresh P Mangalani, emphasized that this move is an important step towards decarbonizing India’s energy sector.
Hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, is seen as the fuel of the future due to its zero carbon emissions. However, its widespread use is limited by its tendency to corrode pipelines and equipment. Research has shown that up to 10% hydrogen can be mixed with natural gas without damaging the infrastructure. Currently, ATGL is blending 2.2-2.3%, with plans to increase this gradually.
Regulators have set the blending limit at 8%, but it’s believed that with adjustments in the material and thickness of pipelines and equipment, this limit can be pushed to 30%.
Challenges and the Future of Green Hydrogen
Hydrogen is considered a crucial element in the global transition to cleaner energy, as it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. It can be produced from various sources, including fossil fuels, biomass, and water. However, the high cost of green hydrogen production remains a significant challenge.
Despite the hurdles, hydrogen is becoming an important part of the global energy landscape. As technology advances and costs come down, its role in the clean energy transition is expected to grow. Adani’s move to introduce hydrogen blending in household gas supplies is a key step towards this future, setting a new benchmark for the energy sector in India.
