Hera Group Leads Energy Transition with Italy's First Hydrogen Blend in Gas Network
Key Ideas
- Inrete Distribuzione Energia, a Hera Group company, successfully injected a mixture of natural gas and 5% hydrogen into a gas distribution network in Modena, Italy, marking a significant milestone in the energy transition.
- The initiative, supported by a unique protocol in Italy, aims to gradually enable the usage of hydrogen blends in gas networks up to 10%, contributing to decarbonisation efforts and sustainability.
- The project involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the municipal administration, and emphasizes the importance of green gas in existing infrastructure without the need for major modifications, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Hera Group's strategic focus on sustainability and innovation positions them as a key player in the energy transition, with plans for substantial investments towards creating efficient, digitised, and resilient networks supporting long-term sustainable growth.
Hera Group's subsidiary, Inrete Distribuzione Energia, has achieved a significant milestone in Italy's energy transition by successfully injecting a mixture of natural gas and 5% hydrogen into a gas distribution network in Modena. This initiative, made possible through a unique protocol signed with relevant authorities, aims to gradually introduce hydrogen blends in gas networks, with the goal of reaching up to 10% hydrogen content. The project, presented in Castelfranco Emilia, emphasizes the importance of utilizing green gas within existing infrastructure to support decarbonisation efforts and sustainability goals. The trials, conducted in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, are set to conclude in April, with plans for further testing downstream of gas meters to ensure the safe operation of domestic gas appliances. The positive sentiment towards hydrogen is evident in statements made by regional and company representatives, highlighting the strategic importance of hydrogen in the energy transition and applauding the project's innovative approach. Hera Group's CEO underlines the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation, with significant investments planned to enhance network efficiency and resilience while maintaining service quality. The article also mentions the company's previous successful experiments with 2% hydrogen blends, illustrating their continuous efforts towards integrating green molecules into the energy system.