Developing a Hydrogen Transportation System Utilizing Existing Gas Grids to Address the Geographic Mismatch Between Hydrogen Supply and Demand and Achieve Low-Cost Stable Supply
Overview of a Hydrogen Transportation System Utilizing Existing Gas Grids
Hydrogen is gaining attention as the next-generation energy source in the pursuit of carbon neutrality (CN). Efforts are underway to mix hydrogen with natural gas for use, aiming to decarbonize gas systems. During the transition to a CN society, it is expected that users of both natural gas and hydrogen will coexist. Systems are being developed to flexibly supply appropriate gases tailored to the needs of individual consumers. These systems are anticipated to facilitate a smooth transition to a CN society by addressing diverse energy demands.
To supply appropriate gas concentrations from a single pipeline to consumers of natural gas, mixed gas, and hydrogen, gas separation technologies are essential for controlling gas concentrations. While conventional gas networks circulating only natural gas could be managed through pressure control alone, mixed gas networks require the management of both gas pressure and hydrogen concentration. Additionally, addressing geographical mismatches between hydrogen supply and demand, as well as the impact of concentration fluctuations caused by returned gas, are critical challenges. Overcoming these issues calls for technologies that enable cost-effective and efficient hydrogen transport by utilizing existing infrastructure.
Hitachi is developing a hydrogen transportation system that leverages existing gas grids. This system consists of two core technologies: 'gas separation technology' and 'gas concentration visualization technology.' The gas separation technology employs high-selectivity and high-permeability membranes to flexibly adjust gas concentrations to meet the specific requirements of each consumer. For instance, it supplies 99% hydrogen to chemical plants and 98% natural gas to power plants. Additionally, for mixed gas users, it ensures a stable gas supply with minimized concentration fluctuations. On the other hand, the gas concentration visualization technology enables real-time monitoring of local and wide-area concentration distributions, mitigating the impact of concentration variations caused by returned gas. Together, these technologies enhance the overall efficiency of gas transportation networks and enable cost-effective and stable hydrogen transport while maintaining adaptability to future changes in demand.
Hitachi is leveraging its plant control technologies in collaboration with membrane manufacturers to advance the development of membrane separation technologies and the research of concentration visualization technologies. Through these efforts, Hitachi is working toward the practical implementation of hydrogen transport systems, aiming to achieve cost-effective and efficient hydrogen supply by utilizing existing infrastructure.
