The Basque Country tried to pump in 20% hydrogen

Spain’s commitment to green hydrogen raises the question: Can it be injected into the vast natural gas network that already reaches our homes? The Basque Country has proven that it does.

Context. In line with the European Union’s climate goals, Spain has chosen the growing green hydrogen sector to store surplus renewable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels such as methane, which emits carbon dioxide.

A major problem with green hydrogen (hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water using solar or wind energy) is its high price index. To make it profitable, energy companies intend to take advantage of the infrastructure they already have. Spain’s natural gas network consists of more than 90,000 kilometers of pipelines, which will allow its widespread and efficient distribution without the need to build new infrastructure.

The H2Sarea project and its successful testing. Led by Nortegas, the nation’s second natural gas distributor, H2Sarea has successfully demonstrated the ability to inject up to 20% green hydrogen into the gas grid.

Nortegas built a replica of the network using traditional gas infrastructure materials, including appliances such as meters, boiler and stove. In more than 12,000 hours of operation, no leaks, burner failures or problems were detected at 552 test points.

20% hydrogen. The conclusion of the experiment is that the natural gas network will continue to function perfectly with mixtures containing up to 20% hydrogen, without the need for burner modifications.

Other studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using up to 30% hydrogen in industrial boilers and furnaces, large consumers of natural gas.

What does this achieve? Free up some green hydrogen production in a more economical and efficient way. Although natural gas will continue to be burned, this “transition” mixture will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7%, carbon monoxide emissions by 54% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 53%.

“This achievement demonstrates that existing natural gas networks are poised to contribute to decarbonization through the use of renewable hydrogen blended with natural gas,” Nortegas says.

It’s not legal yet. Current legislation does not allow more than 5% hydrogen to be used in the natural gas network, but results like Nortegas’ could lead to changes in legislation to allow more hydrogen in the mix.

In Spain, on the island of Mallorca, this has just begun with the Green Hysland project, which includes an electrolyser and a 3.2 km hydraulic pipeline to a mixer at a natural gas plant. Mallorca is currently injecting 2% green hydrogen into its 1,200 km gas network.

Images | Pronor

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