One of the largest natural gas distribution companies in the Southwest is teaming up with two universities to study how hydrogen-blended natural gas can reduce carbon emissions while still providing clean and reliable energy.
As a result of the complementary pilot programs, which are expected to begin concurrently in the first quarter of 2022, major advancements in using a natural gas and hydrogen blend will be made. The scope and duration of subsequent phases will be determined in part by the results of the first phase.
As an independent third party, the experts from the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Future Laboratory at Arizona State University will assist Southwest Gas in developing the studies. As part of the research, EMRFs in both cities will be used to gather information about hydrogen’s potential as a low-carbon and sustainable energy source. Natural gas distribution systems and real-world natural gas appliances can be replicated in a controlled environment at the EMRF facilities, making them ideal locations for conducting the studies
When complete, the studies will help determine:
- The optimal, safest and most environmentally effective hydrogen/natural gas blend percentage
- Safety aspects of hydrogen-blending
- The physical impacts of hydrogen on the natural gas distribution system and common natural gas appliances
- The effects of hydrogen/natural gas blending on heating times and temperatures in comparison to existing heating times of natural gas
- The economics of hydrogen
The partnership with UNLV is a proof of concept study that will allow Southwest Gas to use the university’s electrolyzer, which splits hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water with an electric current, to test the production, blending, distribution, and end-use of the hydrogen blend. Electrolysis creates green hydrogen, which will then be blended with natural gas at various levels for the study – 5%, 10% and 50% – and then injected into the existing natural gas infrastructure at EMRF.
At ASU, the studies will use pre-purchased hydrogen bottles and create a mixture of up to 20% hydrogen with 80% natural gas.
An additional pilot program is being spearheaded by the Southwest Gas Hydrogen Pilot Action Team and consists of creating demonstrations based around the properties of blended hydrogen, with major milestones that include using a natural gas barbecue to grill with 5% hydrogen blended gas. Southwest Gas will also monitor leak detection in the system to determine any differences in procedures necessary to ensure the continued safety of the local communities while also testing the effect of the blend on natural gas appliances.
“While clean, affordable and reliable natural gas has already helped drive emissions reductions, we believe Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and hydrogen are powerful solutions to further decarbonize our system,” says Southwest Gas President and CEO, John Hester. “Like we have done with RNG, we are taking a proactive pioneering approach to hydrogen. These partnerships will help shape the low-carbon future for our Company, and more importantly, the communities we serve. We look forward to demonstrating how hydrogen blended with natural gas can fuel everyday energy needs while further reducing emissions.”
Hydrogen is an abundant, low-emissions resource of which the only by-product of hydrogen combustion is water. It can be used for transportation, electricity generation and industry, which are all considered difficult to decarbonize, while also being blended with renewable natural gas and traditional natural gas for distribution by the existing natural gas distribution system to serve homes and businesses. Hydrogen is available in times of low sun, nights and when the wind is not blowing, adding a reliable fuel source to the green-energy mix. In addition, excess renewable electricity can be used to create renewable hydrogen, which is stored for later use, helping to solve the renewable energy storage challenge.
