DNV begins groundbreaking hydrogen blending feasibility study to decarbonise gas system in British Columbia

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has embarked on two hydrogen blending feasibility studies for Enbridge and FortisBC Energy’s transmission and distribution systems located in British Columbia, Canada.

The two individual studies will determine the percentage of hydrogen that can be safely transported through existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure, including Enbridge’s transmission system and FortisBC’s distribution system, DNV said. The projects are the largest blending studies undertaken in North America, and will be used to develop the codes and standards required to safely transport hydrogen as the first step in forming a sustainable commercial hydrogen market, DNV said in a statement.

Reducing GHG emissions

The project is part of the Province of British Columbia’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decarbonising FortisBC's and Enbridge's natural gas systems while maintaining safety, reliability, and affordability. Individual studies will be undertaken for both sets of assets, recognising the unique components and systems in place.

Collectively, the studies will build a knowledge base to establish the safety, technical, and economic requirements needed to identify and introduce the best and safest hydrogen concentration levels for the system. The entire gas supply value chain will be examined, from hydrogen injection points to end-user delivery points on the pipeline systems, the company said.

“Blending clean hydrogen with natural gas is a key step in the energy transition, and the work DNV is undertaking for Enbridge and FortisBC will help to decarbonise the energy supply in British Columbia and provide a framework for future hydrogen blending projects globally,” said Richard S. Barnes, Region President, Energy Systems North America at DNV.

When injected into the natural gas grid or distributed into new or converted infrastructure, hydrogen can be a renewable and low-carbon fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop a low carbon-energy economy. These studies are the next phase in a multi-year development effort as part of FortisBC and Enbridge’s long-term strategy to establish and maintain leadership in the low-carbon and green energy sector.

“At Enbridge, we are working hard to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon intensity of the energy we transport," said Cynthia Hansen, Enbridge Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream. "One way we're doing this is by using our existing energy infrastructure to transport low-carbon forms of energy such as hydrogen. This important study will play a critical role in determining how existing energy infrastructure can be used to transport hydrogen and how we can continue to work to advance the energy transition.”

Verification for low-carbon hydrogen 

Among DNV’s initiatives to advance clean hydrogen are Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) that specifically target hydrogen, and verification procedure for low-carbon hydrogen claims.

“FortisBC recognises that we have a critical role to play in helping our customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing new energy options that can be delivered safely and reliably through our existing gas system. Our long-term vision is to have hydrogen be part of our renewable and low-carbon gas supply, and collaboration with industry and government in research such as this is a pivotal step toward finding the safest way of making that vision a reality,” said Roger Dall'Antonia, president and CEO, FortisBC.