Context:

Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has started India’s first-of-it’s-kind project to mix hydrogen into natural gas system at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Facts:

=> Hydrogen blended natural gas will be supplied to Avantika Gas Limited, which is a Joint Venture (JV) company of GAIL with HPCL. It is operating in Indore.

=> GAIL started “hydrogen blending programme”, in line with National Hydrogen Mission.

=> Hydrogen blending programme was started as a pilot project to establish techno-commercial feasibility of blending hydrogen in City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.

=> This project is a significant step in India’s journey towards hydrogen based and carbon neutral future.

Injection of Grey Hydrogen:

Injection of Grey Hydrogen started by GAIL at City Gate Station (CGS), Indore. The grey hydrogen will subsequently be replaced by green hydrogen. GAIL has obtained necessary regulatory permissions for starting the project. It has also engaged domain experts for carrying the impact assessment of blending of hydrogen in natural gas. GAIL has also committed for the growth of gas-based economy in India, as well as for the growth of India’s vision of greener and cleaner environment.

Significance of the project:

This project is significant, because India is moving forward with goal of achieving a carbon-neutral and self-reliant future. This project will also help in creating robust standard and regulatory framework in India for covering the aspects of injecting hydrogen into natural gas.

GAIL (India) Limited:

It was earlier known as Gas Authority of India Ltd. It is a government owned natural gas corporation, working under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It is responsible for natural gas processing and distribution across India. It is headquartered in GAIL Bhawan New Delhi.

Grey hydrogen:

Grey hydrogen is produced from natural gas, wherein associated emissions are released in to air.