Adani Group has launched India's largest hydrogen blending initiative by incorporating green hydrogen into the natural gas supplied to households in Ahmedabad, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and support the nation's net-zero goals. The project, spearheaded by Adani Total Gas Ltd (ATGL), the group's city gas distribution joint venture with French energy giant TotalEnergies, commenced blending 2.2-2.3% of green hydrogen into the piped natural gas network in the Shantigram area of Ahmedabad.

In a statement on LinkedIn, ATGL announced the successful commissioning of its hydrogen blending system and in-situ hydrogen generation at Adani Shantigram. The company revealed that the hydrogen-blended natural gas supply will benefit around 4,000 domestic and commercial consumers in the region.

This marks a critical milestone in India's efforts to decarbonize its energy sector. By producing green hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, the Adani Group is employing electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, generating hydrogen without carbon emissions. This green hydrogen is then injected into natural gas pipelines, creating a blend that generates heat and power with fewer emissions compared to conventional natural gas.

“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 stated. The company plans to gradually increase the green hydrogen blend to 5% and eventually to 8%, expanding the project beyond Shantigram to other areas of Ahmedabad and additional regions where ATGL holds city gas distribution licenses.

ATGL's hydrogen blending initiative follows similar efforts by other Indian energy players. State-owned NTPC has been blending green hydrogen into natural gas for households in Kawas, Surat, while GAIL (India) Ltd has launched a pilot project in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, blending grey hydrogen into compressed natural gas (CNG). However, Adani's initiative is the largest to date in terms of scale and ambition.

The blending of hydrogen into natural gas is seen as a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are a leading cause of climate change. Hydrogen energy plays a pivotal role in the global energy transition, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. When combined with natural gas, it reduces the carbon intensity of the fuel without significantly affecting existing pipeline infrastructure or equipment, as long as hydrogen content remains below 10%.

Despite the benefits, challenges remain. Green hydrogen production through renewable energy is expensive, limiting its widespread adoption. Furthermore, hydrogen’s tendency to corrode pipelines and equipment necessitates careful management, with regulators currently setting an 8% limit for hydrogen blending in natural gas. Higher blends, up to 30%, would require changes in the material grade and thickness of pipelines and equipment.

ATGL CEO Suresh P. Manglani called the project a 'significant step towards decarbonising India’s energy landscape', emphasizing the firm’s commitment to sustainability and a greener future. As India looks to reduce its carbon footprint, initiatives like these mark important progress in the country’s shift towards cleaner energy solutions.

The success of this program could pave the way for broader adoption of hydrogen energy, contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier air across India.