Gasvalpo spearheads hydrogen blending in Chile gas network
The project is a unique initiative in Chile in which green hydrogen will be injected into natural gas networks.
Gasvalpo, through its Energas brand and in cooperation with the University of La Serena (ULS) will produce and inject green hydrogen into its natural gas distribution networks in the Industrial District of Coquimbo, Chile.
Gasvalpo H2GN Project will inject green hydrogen into its natural gas distribution network in Coquimbo Region, replacing up to 20% of the natural gas. The project will help over 1,800 homes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting in improving the environment of the cities of Coquimbo and La Serena. The users will not notice any changes in the use of appliances, such as stoves, water heaters or even in their accounts.
Green hydrogen will be produced in a pilot electrolyser plant to be installed by the company in the industrial district of Coquimbo. It will use renewable energy from a local supplier. The green hydrogen obtained will be stored on-site, to later be injected into the natural gas networks of the cities of Coquimbo and La Serena.
Gasvalpo is the oldest gas distribution company in Chile and has over 100k customers and around 1,700 km of networks located in the regions of Valparaíso, O’Higgins, Coquimbo and Maule.
The project joins other initiatives aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as set out in the National Green Hydrogen Strategy defined by the Ministry of Energy. Chile National Green Hydrogen Strategy laid out developing hydrogen industry in stages, where in the first phase, it aims to produce hydrogen locally for local consumption to cut emissions. Ministry of Energy assesses that the adoption of green hydrogen would be able to mitigate around 45% of global CO2 emissions.
