According to DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2021, demand for hydrogen in the Indian subcontinent will reach nearly 25 million tonnes per annum by 2050, primarily for ammonia production, transportation, and refining. As a basis for green hydrogen production, the report also shows strong predicted growth in renewable generation in India, particularly solar photovoltaics, wind, and hydro power which will make up 65% of the country’s electricity generation mix by 2050.

Akhil Mehrotra – MD&CEO – PIL says “The hydrogen industry in India is still in its infancy and has a huge scope to supplement the growing energy needs while supporting the shift to a cleaner environment. Backed by strong governmental support for clean energy and significant renewable energy potential, India has the unique opportunity to become a major producer and exporter of hydrogen”.

“Repurposing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen is 10-30% of the cost of building new pure hydrogen networks. DNV is pleased to play a role in this by supporting PIL to transition its gas network to incorporate blended hydrogen to support local industries. In doing so, DNV will leverage its technical expertise and methodology to help our clients meet their emission reduction goals while retaining the use of their existing infrastructure,” said Brice Le Gallo, Vice President and Regional Director APAC, Energy Systems at DNV.

Drawing upon DNV’s expertise in assessing the technical impacts on gas pipelines of using hydrogen at different blending ratios, PIL will be provided with technical advice on the readiness of its infrastructure to incorporate hydrogen. Furthermore, DNV will help PIL assess the suitability of its existing network and related assets to incorporate hydrogen at a range of blending levels (5%, 10%, 15%, 50% and 100%) covering the following:

• Assessment of pipeline integrity
• Assessment of pipeline safety
• Network operations with blended hydrogen.

Blending hydrogen with natural gas in existing infrastructure will facilitate the use of a cleaner gas that can help countries such as India smoothly transition to a decarbonized future. Aside from rapidly and significantly lowering India’s carbon footprint, incorporating blended hydrogen in the transportation, power generation and industrial sectors can also offer new business opportunities.

Varadaraj Salian, Market Area Manager – India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for Energy Systems, DNV adds, “This pioneering project will enable PIL to engage their stakeholders in developing and expediting realistic decarbonization goals for which DNV is providing the right technical knowledge, global expertise and best practices so that their operation is safe and sustainable.”