PNGRB Explores Green Hydrogen Transportation via Natural Gas Pipelines

New Delhi: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is making strides in the advancement of transporting Green Hydrogen through Natural Gas transmission lines by incorporating hydrogen blending with Natural Gas. PNGRB identifies Natural Gas Transmission lines as the preferred medium for Green Hydrogen transportation, leveraging the existing network of 33,000 KM of Natural Gas Transmission pipelines, with 24,000 KM operational and the rest under construction. These pipelines are poised to connect regions rich in renewable energy resources, where Green Hydrogen is abundant, with consumption centers such as Fertilizer plants, Refineries, and Heavy Iron & Steel Industries.

To gather insights and input on the draft report of the study conducted by PNGRB in collaboration with the World Bank and study partner ICF, a mega-stakeholder interaction was organized on March 7, 2024. The study focuses on developing “Pathways for Hydrogen transmission in Natural gas pipelines and City Gas Distribution networks.”

In his keynote address, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson of PNGRB, emphasized the importance of Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas pipelines and City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks. He expressed PNGRB’s commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of related infrastructure and mentioned the ongoing efforts to formulate a global-level regulatory regime for Green Hydrogen transportation.

The stakeholder interaction witnessed participation from representatives of various Ministries, Statutory/Autonomous bodies, research institutions, and Oil & Gas entities. Discussions covered prospects of Hydrogen in India, featuring presentations from ICF on the draft study report and insights from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), GAIL (India) Limited, and Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) regarding new initiatives for promoting Hydrogen in the country.

PNGRB has been conducting a comprehensive study, in collaboration with the World Bank since August 2023, to assess the demand and supply of Hydrogen, evaluate the technical compatibility of existing pipeline networks, conduct a commercial assessment of the pipeline sector, identify policy and regulatory bottlenecks, and outline a roadmap for milestones until 2040. The draft study report suggests that India’s Hydrogen demand is projected to increase from the current 6 – 7 MMTPA to 16 – 18.5 MMPTA by 2040. Key contributors to this demand will include Ammonia, Refineries, and the Transport sector.

The study also proposes blending limits for various components such as transmission pipelines, compressors, gas turbines, gas meters, domestic appliances, CNG vehicles, and other associated equipment. Additionally, the study outlines projected additional capital and operational expenditure requirements for equipment and fittings. The mega-stakeholder interaction sets the stage to achieve the Government of India’s target of producing 5 MMTPA Green Hydrogen by 2030, as part of its clean energy agenda through the National Green Hydrogen Mission.