Steady-state analysis of a natural gas distribution network with hydrogen injection to absorb excess renewable electricity

Abstract

Natural gas networks, thanks to their extensiveness and capillarity, could play a crucial role in the green transition of the energy sector. The decarbonization of a gas network can be achieved by injecting green hydrogen into the grid. This work aims to simulate a low-pressure natural gas distribution network serving industrial and residential users and subjected to one localized injection of hydrogen produced by renewable energy sources. The main quality indexes and fluid dynamics parameters of the gas mixture are analysed to understand the feasibility of injecting hydrogen into a natural gas network. Firstly, the network was examined under nominal steady conditions with a constant hydrogen injection. Then, the same grid was simulated considering a 24-h pattern of hydrogen injection, according to the power daily surplus. The results show that the grid can help to buffer the surplus of renewable power produced. The conclusions derived by the results underline that the effect of H2 injection is maximum during the highest excess of electricity and the importance of an accurate choice of the injection node: a wrong choice leads, at the peak of power production, leads to an amplification of the H2 injection impact and hence to a reduction of the Wobbe Index value that overcomes the safety lower limit.