The Indian government has launched a study to assess the costs and reliability of transporting green hydrogen through pipelines from renewable energy regions to ports, for both domestic consumption and export. The study, led by a team including GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation (IoCL), the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and NTPC, will explore the feasibility of transporting green hydrogen either via power transmission lines or pipelines. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the CEA, noted the challenges of managing multiple transmission lines, prompting the evaluation of pipeline options.
In parallel, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has been exploring hydrogen transport through natural gas pipelines. With 24,000 km of operational natural gas pipelines and 9,000 km under construction, the regulator is prioritizing the use of these pipelines for hydrogen transport by blending hydrogen with natural gas. PNGRB Chairman Anil Kumar Jain emphasized that the regulator has been collaborating with the World Bank since August 2023 to study hydrogen demand, supply, and the suitability of the existing pipeline network for hydrogen transport.
Initial findings from a report by Engineers India (EIL) and IIT Kanpur suggest that up to three per cent green hydrogen can be safely blended into city gas distribution pipelines without adverse effects, making pipeline transport a cost-effective option for moving large volumes of hydrogen.