Blending gas

Gas blending involves carefully controlled processes to mix different gases in precise proportions. Typically this occurs at blending facilities, where gases like natural gas, hydrogen or biomethane are fed into a network of pipelines and mixing chambers. Advanced sensors and control systems then make sure the gas blend achieves the exact composition needed.

Real-time monitoring helps track flow rates, pressures and the final mixture's properties, so adjustments can be made if required. This enables consistent gas blends that meet strict quality and safety standards.

Once blended, the gas blend flows seamlessly through existing or new pipelines, with monitoring systems making sure the blend maintains a high level of quality at all times.

The gas blend is now ready for use in homes and industry. Blended gas serves the same applications as traditional natural gas, including heating, power generation, industrial processes and transportation.

Gas blends maximise the use of existing natural gas networks. This significantly reduces the need for the costly and disruptive replacement infrastructure that would be required for pure hydrogen.

Blending gas allows for a controlled and gradual transition, mitigating the potential safety concerns associated with pure hydrogen. This approach allows safer integration of lower-carbon gases.

Gas blends bridge the gap between current natural gas supply levels and the limited production capacity of the likes of biomethane. This allows for immediate emissions reductions, while renewable gas production scales up in the meantime.

By combining the strengths of different gases, gas blending provides a more robust and reliable energy supply, guaranteeing stability during periods of peak demand while delivering greater energy security too.

Lower carbon content

When burned, hydrogen produces only water vapour, and no carbon dioxide. With zero emissions at the point of use, hydrogen could play a vital role in moving the UK towards a cleaner energy future.

Reduced emissions

Hydrogen and natural gas blending means the overall carbon content of the fuel is reduced. As a result, for every unit of energy produced, the blended fuel releases fewer greenhouse gas emissions than when compared with pure natural gas.

Easing the energy transition

Hydrogen blending could act as an important bridge towards a fully decarbonised energy system. It’s one potential option on the road to moving away from fossil fuels, which can use existing infrastructure and minimise disruption.

Wide range of sources

Hydrogen can be produced from various sources. These range from steam methane reforming, which is reasonably inexpensive but generates high carbon emissions, to electrolysis, which can have no associated carbon emissions if the electricity is sourced from renewable technologies like solar and wind power, but poses challenges around cost and scalability.                       

Greater energy independence

The decision to produce more hydrogen domestically means countries like the UK can reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security in the process. 

Potential for hydrogen economy

The emerging hydrogen economy has the chance to boost economic growth, while creating new job opportunities in research, manufacturing and development.

Suitable for multiple sectors

From domestic heating and industrial heat, to power generation and transportation, hydrogen blending has the potential to decarbonise a range of sectors that are currently reliant on natural gas.

A versatile solution

Because of its high energy density, hydrogen is ideal for applications like long-distance transportation and heavy-duty industrial uses.

Scalable and storable

Hydrogen has great potential for scalability and storage - but it’s worth noting that significant investment and innovation is required to make this a reality.

Uses existing network

Hydrogen can be easily transported through existing natural gas pipelines - albeit with some modifications for blends with higher percentages of hydrogen - minimising the need for costly new infrastructure.

Minimises disruption

If the decision is made to blend relatively low percentages of hydrogen into the natural gas grid, then household appliances or industrial equipment won’t need to be changed or modified, making the transition to a more sustainable energy system more manageable.

Increased capacity

Blending hydrogen can effectively increase the capacity of the existing gas grid to transport energy, to accommodate the growing demands on the grid, while supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

As hydrogen can embrittle some pipeline materials, ongoing research and development are needed to ensure compatibility with increased hydrogen concentrations and prevent potential leaks or damage.

Blending hydrogen also alters the burning properties of natural gas. Consumers must feel confident that appliances and industrial processes are safe and efficient.

With hydrogen’s smaller molecular size compared to methane, existing gas infrastructure requires specialised safeguards too. Advanced leak detection and monitoring systems are essential to mitigate the increased risk of leaks, and ensure the safe operation of pipelines and appliances using hydrogen blends at all times.

Producing low-carbon hydrogen, especially green hydrogen from electrolysis, remains more expensive than natural gas. And while blending of a lower hydrogen percentage can take advantage of existing infrastructure, higher blends will require upgrades and modifications, demanding further investment.

The changes in blend percentages may also impact on billing. At transmission level, there is high pressure and capacity. This drops at the distribution level which can lead to variable blend rates. If these rates hit more than 5%, it can impact the flow weighted average methodology due to the change in calorific value.

There are concerns that this will impact domestic and industrial bills, with infrastructure costs also potentially passed onto consumers.

To accommodate hydrogen blending, existing regulatory standards and codes of practice for natural gas will need to be updated, especially when moving forward with higher hydrogen blends in the future.

To encourage investment in hydrogen blending and accelerate its deployment, supportive policies and incentives will be needed.

While hydrogen blending poses great promise to decarbonise the gas network, greater public awareness about its potential - which addresses safety and reliability concerns - is critical.

Furthermore, a fully considered and robust market for hydrogen will need to be established, and a fully competent and skilled workforce capable of managing hydrogen blended systems will need to be a priority.

Limited feedstock availability and the current capacity of anaerobic digestion infrastructure impacts the ability to scale biomethane production.

Variations in feedstock and purification processes mean strict control measures are needed. This will ensure consistent biomethane quality and compatibility with existing gas networks.

Connecting distributed biomethane production sites to the gas grid, particularly in rural areas, presents logistical challenges and cost barriers. Ensuring the overall capacity of the distribution network can meet demand is another big challenge.

Building industry and public trust in biomethane requires transparent communication and consistent, data-driven evidence.