Gasvalpo Achieves 10% Green Hydrogen Blend in Chile's First Live Network Injection

Gasvalpo, Chile's oldest gas distributor, has achieved a 10% green hydrogen blend in its residential natural gas network across Coquimbo Province, serving over 2,000 homes and businesses. The H2GN pilot project, launched in late 2022 and backed by majority stakeholder Marubeni Corporation, represents South America's first end-to-end demonstration of producing, blending, and distributing green hydrogen at scale.

The system uses solar-powered electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which is then processed through UTIS's UCHP unit for purification and conditioning. Italy's Pietro Fiorentini designed the blending station, enabling operators to adjust hydrogen content in 1% increments up to 20% through PLC-controlled valves and real-time monitoring.

Gasvalpo reports smooth operations to date with no leaks or customer complaints. The project leverages existing pipeline infrastructure, avoiding costly retrofits. However, Chile currently classifies hydrogen in natural gas as an "impurity," requiring regulatory clarification for scaling beyond the pilot.

The company plans to increase the blend to 15% by year-end and explore industrial zone applications. Coquimbo's strong solar resources and mining sector interest support expansion potential. Success could influence investment decisions across hydrogen infrastructure projects globally and support Chile's national hydrogen export strategy.

Key challenges include establishing clear regulatory frameworks, addressing potential material wear above 20% hydrogen content, consumer acceptance of tariff increases, and technician training requirements.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Fuel News. Read the full article →