Industrial Development of Hydrogen Blending in Natural Gas Pipelines in China
Bing Zhong, Xuexiu Zhang, Bo Zhang, Suping Peng
Abstract
The development of hydrogen industry is crucial for realizing the green and low-carbon transformation of terminal energy consumption. The efficiency of hydrogen transportation is key to the development of hydrogen industry. Blending hydrogen in natural gas pipelines can improve the scale and efficiency of hydrogen distribution in a short period of time, and it provides a solution for expanding the scale of hydrogen application. Based on defining the industrial chain of hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines, the paper discusses the values of developing the blending industry in terms of promoting the hydrogen industry, resolving renewable energy consumption, ensuring energy supply security, realizing the deep carbon reduction of terminal energy consumption, and encouraging energy technology innovation. Moreover, the paper summarizes the international progress and domestic current status of the blending industry. It unravels key issues regarding the hydrogen blending proportion, adaptability of pipes and terminal equipment, and their safety use and technical economy. Furthermore, we propose the following suggestions: (1) strengthening the top-level design, (2) building a standards system for safety supervision as well as technology and operation management of hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines, (3) actively deploying demonstration projects through multi-participation, and (4) exploring diversified application scenarios and business models, thereby cultivating a sustainable industrial ecosystem to steadily promote the scaled development of the industry.