The government initiated a study to evaluate the costs and reliability of transporting green hydrogen via pipelines from renewable energy regions to ports, for both domestic use and export.
“In the case of green hydrogen, we are considering the significant energy demands. We have two options: either transfer power from Rajasthan to port areas or utilize a pipeline. We’ve established a team with GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation (IoCL), CEA, NTPC, and others to explore these possibilities, as managing numerous transmission lines poses a challenge,” said Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
In March 2024, the petroleum and natural gas regulatory board (PNGRB) announced its efforts to explore green hydrogen transport through natural gas pipelines by blending hydrogen with natural gas. With 33,000 km of natural gas pipelines authorized – 24,000 km of which are operational and the rest under construction – the regulator is prioritizing these pipelines for hydrogen transport.
PNGRB Chairman Anil Kumar Jain noted that since August 2023, the regulator has been working with the World Bank on a study to assess hydrogen demand and supply, evaluate the existing pipeline network for compatibility, conduct a commercial analysis of the pipeline sector, identify regulatory bottlenecks, and develop a roadmap for hydrogen blending implementation through 2040.
As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, initial findings from a report by Engineers India (EIL) and IIT Kanpur suggest that blending up to three percent green hydrogen in city gas distribution (CGD) pipelines can be done without negative impacts. Using pipelines for hydrogen transport presents a cost-effective option for handling large volumes.
