Can Hydrogen Be Safely Blended Into the Gas Supply?

Blending hydrogen into the existing gas supply is infeasible, and doing so offers few environmental benefits. What makes it a bad idea? Learn more below.

Blue Herring

Many gas companies tout blue hydrogen as an environmentally friendly alternative to methane, which contributes strongly to climate change and is obtained by drilling. The catch is that methane almost always factors into the production of blue hydrogen gas.

In steam methane reforming, the cheapest way to manufacture hydrogen, technicians heat methane to a high temperature in the presence of steam and a nickel catalyst. The process creates hydrogen but also emits carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Manufacturers then have a choice — release the carbon dioxide or bury it. If they release it, the resulting hydrogen is called gray hydrogen. Sequestering the carbon means the hydrogen gets the coveted “blue” label. But a 2021 study found blue hydrogen’s greenhouse gas footprint is still 20% greater than burning coal or natural gas for heat and around 60% greater than burning diesel fuel.

A small fraction of hydrogen production uses electrolysis to create green, environmentally friendly hydrogen. But even if only green hydrogen makes it into the gas pipeline, technicians still have to blend it with air-polluting methane to help it travel through the pipes. Only a fraction of the gas would be hydrogen, meaning the environmental returns would be minimal. A much better way to reduce people’s environmental impact is to use electric appliances.

Slipping Through the Cracks

Engineers built gas pipelines mainly for methane, the primary gas people use in their homes. But hydrogen molecules are tiny. Blending hydrogen into existing pipes is like putting a mouse in a dog crate — the gaps are much too big to contain it. That could lead to leaks, and, as anyone familiar with the Hindenburg disaster knows, hydrogen is highly flammable.

Even with leak detection systems in place, hydrogen’s propensity to seep out of small pores weakens the steel used in large-scale gas pipelines. Blending it into the gas supply would necessitate major retrofitting projects to replace pipes and home appliances. The funds needed for these repairs could be better spent on electrification.

Footing the Bill

Speaking of costs, homeowners might experience sticker shock when they get their first hydrogen energy bill. A 20% hydrogen blend — the maximum amount gas companies could safely add to the pipes — could increase gas costs by around 16% while only reducing emissions by 7%. It’s a high price to pay for a service that still pollutes the environment.

In contrast, the price of solar panels has fallen within the reach of many homeowners, and the technology often leads to lower energy bills or even pays people to use it. It’s little wonder that most eco-conscious consumers are installing solar panels rather than buying hydrogen.

In geologic hotspots, some people even use geothermal energy to heat their homes or generate electricity. Others live in areas connected to onshore or offshore wind turbines. Homeowners have more options for going green than ever, and it’s getting more affordable by the day.

The Verdict

Ultimately, blending hydrogen into the gas supply distracts from the main goal, which is to reduce air pollution, stop drilling for fossil fuels and mitigate climate change overall. Retrofitting outdated buildings with electric appliances is a better choice for people and the environment. Although it sounds intriguing, home hydrogen is nothing more than a pipe dream.