Enbridge, Fortis BC studying hydrogen blending

Enbridge and FortisBC Energy said they are studying how hydrogen can be safely and reliably delivered using the existing gas pipeline infrastructure in British Columbia, Canada.

This hydrogen blending study, which is being supported in part by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, will look at the percentage of hydrogen that can be safely transported through gas pipeline infrastructure, such as Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas transmission system, as well as FortisBC’s gas transmission and distribution systems.

If upon completion it is determined that hydrogen can be safely transported in this infrastructure, the study will be used to inform the development of codes and standards to regulate its transportation and help to inform the development of a commercial hydrogen market in the province, the companies said.

“This important study will play a critical role in determining how existing energy infrastructure can be used to transport hydrogen and how we can continue to work to advance the energy transition,” said Cynthia Hansen, Enbridge executive vice president and president, Gas Transmission and Midstream.

Enbridge’s Westcoast system operates more than 2,900 km of pipeline from the northeast of the province to the U.S.-Canada border and east to the B.C.-Alberta border. This pipeline system supplies natural gas to FortisBC’s approximately 51,000 km gas transmission and distribution system.

“FortisBC recognizes that we have a critical role to play in helping our customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing new energy options that can be delivered safely and reliably through our existing gas system,” said Roger Dall’Antonia, president and CEO at FortisBC. “Our long-term vision is to have hydrogen be part of our renewable and low-carbon gas supply, and collaboration with industry and government in research such as this is a pivotal step toward finding the safest way of making that vision a reality.”