Adani Group's city gas distribution company Adani Total Gas Ltd on Tuesday announced a pilot project on green hydrogen production and blending as it looks to diversify its energy mix, develop a hydrogen ecosystem as well as reduce CO2 emissions.

As part of the project, Adani Total Gas will use the latest technologies to blend Green Hydrogen (GH2) with natural gas for over 4,000 residential and commercial customers in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. GH2 is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. Hydrogen blending is less carbon intensive than burning gas but has the same heating capabilities.

The project is expected to be commissioned by the first quarter of 2024-25 and the percentage of green hydrogen will be gradually increased in the blend to up to 8% or more, depending on regulatory approvals, the Adani Group company says in a stock exchange filing.

After successfully completing the pilot, hydrogen blended fuel will be supplied stepwise to larger parts of the city and other license areas of Adani Total Gas, the company says. As per studies, an up to 8% hydrogen blend can reduce emission by up to 4%.

With this pilot, Adani Total Gas says it would like to partner with various stakeholders including regulatory authorities to share its firsthand learning and develop ecosystem about hydrogen blending in city gas distribution in India. This will also help in gaining and sharing knowledge on the operational aspects and the compatibility of blended fuel on existing infrastructure, it says.

“We are fully committed towards building an environmentally sustainable operation and this project represents our ongoing dedication towards national infrastructure building for India to become energy independent by 2047. This project will reduce our carbon footprint and by investing in such innovative projects, we are actively contributing to the evolution of the industry and driving progress in sustainable energy solutions,” says Suresh P Manglani, executive director and CEO of Adani Total Gas.

Adani Total Gas supplies piped natural gas (PNG) to industrial, commercial and residential customers and compressed natural gas (CNG) to the transport sector. Given its gas distribution mandate catering to 38 Geographical Areas (GAs), which account for 8% of India’s population, the company plays a significant role in the nation’s efforts to enhance the share of natural gas in its energy mix. Of the 38 GAs, 19 are managed by ATGL and the rest by Indian Oil-Adani Gas Private Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Adani Total Gas and Indian Oil Corporation.

In September 2023, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors delivered Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation. These buses are to be assessed as potential mass transport solutions for inter and intra-city commute.

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