Impact of Hydrogen and Natural Gas Substitute on the Gas Networks

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogen is playing an increasingly important role in energy transition and decarbonisation policy. In fact, hydrogen has an essential role in the mix of clean energy needed to ensure a sustainable future. The significant drop in the production cost of both hydrogen and natural gas substitute in conjunction with renewable sources has an important political and commercial impact. A key feature of hydrogen is its high flexibility as an energy vector and intrinsic availability. In fact, hydrogen can be generated starting from any renewable energy source and directly mixed and delivered with natural gas in the existing transmission and distribution networks; furthermore, it can be stored in exhausted gas fields during overproduction periods to respond to peaks in case of energy deficit.

As a result, all the technologies linked to the hydrogen revolution are becoming increasingly relevant. However, some issues related to the widespread production and injection of hydrogen in gas grids must be investigated to reduce existing risks and costs. Therefore, many efforts in research and pre-normative studies still need to be adopted that aim at ensuring the necessary safety and reliability of the entire chain value (i.e., production, transport, storage, distribution and end use).

The proposed Special Issue refers to the use of H2NG (hydrogen in natural gas) and syngas mixtures, and in particular, to:

• power to gas and hydrogen production technologies (including renewable energy sources, membranes, electrolysers)
• synergies between hydrogen and renewable energy
• impact of hydrogen and NG substitute on gas transmission and distribution networks
• blending hydrogen into natural gas for heating and cooking purposes
• impact on measurement instruments and unaccounted-for gas
• technical impacts on residential and commercial gas appliances
• case studies

Prof. Dr. Marco Dell'Isola
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Spazzafumo
Guest Editors

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