Delgaz Grid has successfully completed the 30HyGrid pilot project, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Romania demonstrating that existing gas installations and appliances can operate safely with natural gas blends containing up to 30% hydrogen by volume, without requiring technical modifications.
The project builds on the tests conducted under 20HyGrid, the first pilot project of its kind in Romania to use a blend of natural gas and 20% hydrogen by volume. The latest initiative contributes to preparing the country’s gas infrastructure for the integration of green gases and for reducing carbon emissions.
“Green gases will play an increasingly important role in Romania’s energy mix. Through projects such as 30HyGrid, we are testing concrete solutions for the future and obtaining essential data that can support the development of the regulatory framework and infrastructure needed to integrate hydrogen and biomethane into Romania’s energy system,” said Cristian Secoșan, CEO of Delgaz Grid.
During the first stage of the project, conducted in a controlled environment at Delgaz Grid’s Professional Training Centre in Mediaș, a range of domestic appliances were tested over short periods using natural gas blends containing up to 35% hydrogen by volume.
The appliances included conventional and condensing boilers, heating convectors, domestic hot-water appliances, atmospheric burners used in heating and cooking stoves, tiled stoves and gas cookers. All of these appliances had also been tested during the first stage of the 20HyGrid project.
The second stage focused on high-power, non-domestic installations and equipment already in operation, with capacities of 100 kW, 120 kW, 320 kW and 1,120 kW. The equipment tested included high-power boilers, grain dryers, bakery ovens and outdoor patio heaters.
These installations initially operated with a methane blend containing 23% hydrogen by volume, followed by testing with a blend containing 30% hydrogen by volume.
Tests carried out both at the test facility and in the field demonstrated that natural gas blends containing 30% hydrogen by volume can be used in existing installations and appliances without identifying relevant technical risks.
In terms of combustion performance – including flame appearance, stability, colour and noise – the appliances operated properly and showed performance similar to that observed when using natural gas.
The 30HyGrid project represents another step forward in the adoption of green gases. Measurements taken during the tests also indicated reductions in certain combustion by-products, particularly carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The results of the 30HyGrid project will be made available to the relevant authorities to support the development of the regulatory framework required for the use of green gases.
The findings provide valuable technical data for the future integration of hydrogen and other renewable gases into Romania’s energy infrastructure, while helping assess the compatibility of existing installations and end-user equipment with progressively higher hydrogen blends.