Adani Group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, said they have started producing green hydrogen by using renewable energy sources like wind and and solar power.
In a major move that is set to transform India’s natural gas industry, the Adani Group led by billionaire Gautam Adani, has started blending green hydrogen in natural gas which is supplied to households for cooking purposes in parts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, aiming to cut emissions and meet net-zero targets.
In a statement, Adani Total Gas Ltd– a joint venture between Adani Group and French energy giant TotalEnergies– said they have started producing green hydrogen by using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis.
The ‘green’ hydrogen is blended in natural gas that is currently piped to households for cooking purposes and industries.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful commissioning of our Hydrogen Blending System and in-situ Hydrogen Generation at Adani Shantigram, Ahmedabad. This project will provide uninterrupted hydrogen-blended natural gas to 4,000 domestic and commercial consumers,” the group said.
The firm said it will slowly increase the green hydrogen blend in natural gas to 5 per cent and ultimately to 8 per cent and widen supplies beyond Shantigram to other parts of Ahmedabad and eventually across other areas where it holds a city gas license.
“This achievement marks a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and transitioning to cleaner energy solutions. By blending hydrogen with natural gas, we are lowering greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy security, and supporting sustainable development,” ATGL said.
“It reaffirms our commitment to sustainability. It paves the way for a cleaner, greener future, ensuring cleaner and healthier air for everyone.”
ATGL CEO Suresh P Manglani said the pioneering initiative by the firm marks “a significant step towards decarbonising India’s energy landscape”.
At present, state-owned power generator NTPC supplies green hydrogen blended natural gas to households in Kawas in Surat district, Gujarat, while state-owned gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd is also doing a small pilot in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to supply CNG that has been doped with grey hydrogen.
Hydrogen produced through clean pathways is injected into natural gas pipelines, and the resulting blends are used to generate heat and power with lower emissions than using natural gas alone.
While green hydrogen with nil carbon emissions is being talked about as the future fuel, its main drawback is the tendency to corrode pipelines and equipment limits its usage. However, tests have proven that up to 10 per cent hydrogen can be blended in natural gas without any impact on pipelines or equipment.
ATGL is currently doing 2.2-2.3 per cent blending and will slowly increase it to 5 per cent and ultimately to 8 per cent – the limit set by the regulators at present. A higher blend of up to 30 per cent is possible with a change in material grade and wall thickness of pipelines and equipment.
(With PTI inputs)