Hydrogen blending of natural gas widens deep decarbonization road

Zhu Xingshan also said that there are not many mature projects at this stage, coupled with the lack of planning and standard system, resulting in unclear security risks and other problems. "For example, the adaptability of in-service pipelines to different hydrogen mixing ratios, and how to improve the hydrogen mixing ratio of storage and transportation and terminal equipment have not been studied enough and not deep enough." Without a lot of research and experimentation, pipeline operators are often afraid to do it. According to the different proportion of hydrogen mixing, the terminal energy use equipment in the design, manufacturing, operation, maintenance, testing and other aspects, the standard specification is also lacking."

Then there are the economics. Hydrogen transportation in natural gas pipelines can realize long-distance and large-scale transportation of hydrogen energy with relatively little investment in a short period of time. However, the calorific value of the same volume of hydrogen is only 1/3 of that of natural gas, and in order to ensure that natural gas provides the same calorific value at the terminal after mixing hydrogen, the hydrogen price should theoretically be 1/3 of the gas price. "According to the current price of natural gas gate station, the hydrogen price obtained is far lower than the cost of hydrogen production at this stage." In other words, from the perspective of the whole industry chain, the commercial application of natural gas hydrogen blending project is not currently economically feasible." Mr. Zhang said.

■■ Urgent need to strengthen the top-level design

In the view of many industry insiders, strengthening top-level design and strategic research is a top priority. "The development of hydrogen blending of natural gas is related to the high-quality development of the entire hydrogen energy industry and the transformation of the natural gas industry, and its technical route and key tasks should be deeply analyzed, covering basic research, equipment research and development, technical demonstration, applied research, norms and standards, performance testing, and business model innovation." At the same time, we will improve the management model of the natural gas hydrogen blending industry and establish relevant incentive mechanisms." Zhang Bo said.

How to promote it? For example, it is necessary to carry out the safety and emergency management system construction of the hydrogen blending industry of natural gas with high standards, and explore the establishment of an industrial safety supervision platform based on information technology and digital technology. Strengthening communication and cooperation between management departments can continue the management model of the natural gas industry, and clarify the regulatory authorities and responsibilities of each link of natural gas hydrogen mixing. On the basis of the current natural gas pipeline network regulatory framework, improve the regulatory approval process for the construction of hydrogen-doped projects, sort out the key points of industrial standardization, and maintain the coordinated development of hydrogen-doped natural gas and hydrogen energy, natural gas and urban gas standards.

Wang Hongjian believes that from the perspective of the future space, with natural gas as the key trend of fuel, hydrogen storage and transportation can be achieved with the help of gas pipe networks, and then diversified fuel supply can be achieved, from hydrogen to hydrogen energy and natural gas. "Through evaluation at this stage, the proportion of hydrogen mixing in terminals and pipelines is 10%-20%, and the technology is completely feasible, and it can even be increased to 20%-30% after partial transformation." However, higher hydrogen mixing ratio still needs verification analysis, and there is a lack of systematic evaluation methods and databases. Including the law of pipe performance deterioration, integrity management and risk assessment, leakage monitoring and other links, need to be further studied and improved."

"First make full use of the existing infrastructure, and then consider new hydrogen-doped applications, and hydrogen-doped gas turbines should be prioritized in new large-scale constructions." Zhu Xingshan suggested that major demonstration projects of hydrogen mixing in natural gas be organized at the national level, and different application scenarios be selected, including pipeline hydrogen mixing and hydrogen gas turbine, to carry out demonstrations according to local conditions, accumulate experience and explore paths.