In order to comply with the government’s carbon-neutral goal and lower greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with international standards, Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) is actively supporting the demonstration of hydrogen inclusion. KOGAS, which was founded to offer a consistent supply of natural gas to businesses and homes, is now eager to change into a hydrogen-focused green energy organization.
As part of its sustainable, responsible, and transparent management (ESG) for cohabitation with society and the environment, KOGAS promotes hydrogen mixing, which involves combining hydrogen with city gas and supplying it to city gas pipes. In particular, it refers to building a hydrogen mixing facility in a static pressure facility of a gas company or general city gas business operator in order to distribute hydrogen and natural gas to consumers through a city gas pipeline network.
The quantity of municipal gas utilized may be decreased by adding hydrogen to the pipeline, which will lower greenhouse gas emissions. Each year, Korea consumes 40 million tons of natural gas. 1.29 million tons of natural gas are thought to be saved annually when hydrogen is combined with 10% by volume (vol%, the volume ratio of a certain substance in the overall space). This indicates that annual CO2 emissions may be decreased by 3.55 million tons.
Before a hydrogen-only pipeline network is created, hydrogen mixing is another cost-effective, countrywide means of supplying hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used in all city gas-using appliances, including household gas boilers, commercial gas boilers, industrial gas boilers, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, and gas turbines for power generation. Hydrogen can be mixed with city gas and supplied through the nation’s extensive network of city gas pipelines. can be used in tandem.
Major foreign nations are already encouraging the demonstration of hydrogen blending in city gas, including the US, UK, Germany, and others. From the end of 2020 onward, the “HyBlend project” in the US has been doing research on hydrogen compatibility and lifespan study of natural gas pipelines. Research and development are also being done in the UK and Germany with the intention of gradually adding up to 20% hydrogen to city gas pipes.
Korea Gas Corporation and Korea Gas Safety Corporation are partners in the Korean government’s demonstration project for city gas hydrogen mixing. A step-by-step mixing demonstration plan was also unveiled by the government with the aim of commercializing 20% of hydrogen in city gas by 2026, lowering the need for hydrogen by 1.07 million tons, and lowering carbon emissions by 7.5 million tons. In this respect, KOGAS has started to examine empirical situations from abroad, construct test facilities, and create technology for hydrogen mixing demonstration operations.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration in the development of green hydrogen pipe mixing technology was signed by Korea Gas Corporation and Korea Southern Power in March of this year. At the Hallim Bitdream Power Plant in Hallim-up, Jeju-do, the two businesses chose to collaborate on the development of hydrogen business technology while carrying out a trial project to mix hydrogen into gas pipes. “We plan to lead carbon neutrality and play a leading role in revitalizing the hydrogen economy by closely cooperating with the pilot operation of hydrogen mixing in the pipelines of the Hanlim Bitdream power plant and technology development to secure competitiveness in the hydrogen business,” a Korea Gas Corporation official said.
In May, KOGAS took things a step further by signing an MOU with the Korea Steel Association to collaborate on the development of hydrogen pipes for high-pressure main piping. It is important to create safe and affordable high-strength steel materials and hydrogen pipes specifically for this in order to provide hydrogen utilizing the high-pressure and large-capacity natural gas infrastructure that Korea Gas Corporation now operates. In order to create domestic hydrogen mixing and unique high-pressure pipes, validate hydrogen mixing utilizing natural gas pipes, and pass and change pertinent domestic rules and regulations, KOGAS chose to collaborate with a major domestic steel firm.
By doing this, KOGAS has a plan to become a hydrogen platform operator that represents Korea and takes the lead in developing the domestic hydrogen supply infrastructure and reviving the hydrogen industry. The goal is to depart from the traditional position of a natural gas seller and distributor and help usher in a new era of environmentally friendly energy. In terms of win-win management for a sustainable future, a KOGAS official declared, “We will play an active role in the entire value chain of the hydrogen industry, from introducing overseas green hydrogen to securing large-capacity hydrogen storage and hydrogen mixing technology in natural gas pipelines, and building hydrogen production bases and charging stations.” In the medium to long term, he stated, “the objective is to become a global first-class corporation in the hydrogen industry.”
