Safety risks of hydrogen blending

Blending methane with hydrogen (i.e. injecting hydrogen into the existing natural gas grid) has been proposed as a solution to store excess renewable electricity and increase the output of renewable energy. However, this poses safety risks as hydrogen has a lower ignition threshold than natural gas. In addition, hydrogen blending has been criticised for its low ability to reduce emissions, continued reliance on fossil fuels and increased consumer costs.

Nº 79
  • Climate & Atmosphere
  • Energy Emission Reduction
  • Promotion of Hydrogen
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Safety risks of hydrogen blending

Blending methane with hydrogen (i.e. injecting hydrogen into the existing natural gas grid) has been proposed as a solution to store excess renewable electricity and increase the output of renewable energy. However, this poses safety risks as hydrogen has a lower ignition threshold than natural gas. In addition, hydrogen blending has been criticised for its low ability to reduce emissions, continued reliance on fossil fuels and increased consumer costs.

Although the operational implementation of hydrogen blending is not yet widespread, several European Union Member States have set targets for blending hydrogen into existing gas networks to be achieved by 2030. These targets are in line with the European Commission’s 2020 Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to facilitate the transition to a climate neutral Europe.

  • Facilitated the efforts to address the initial problem
  • Multilple (effects disconected from each other)

Limits shall be set towards the blending of hydrogen in disribution networks to avoid the risk of detonation. 

EU Science Hub (2022). Blending hydrogen into the EU gas system. Available at https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news/blending-hydrogen-eu-gas-system-2022-01-19_en

de Santoli, L., Paiolo, R., & Basso, G. L. (2017). An overview on safety issues related to hydrogen and methane blend applications in domestic and industrial use. Energy Procedia, 126, 297-304.

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