Green hydrogen injection pilot project
A solution in development
Énergir is involved in efforts to reduce GHG emissions in Quebec. With this in mind, it is interested in the role that green hydrogen can play in decarbonizing its gas network.
One way forward for Énergir would be to blend a certain proportion of hydrogen with the natural gas already in its network. To achieve this, Énergir has already carried out a closed-circuit pilot project at its facilities in 2022, and is currently conducting two real-world demonstrations.
These projects help validate the network's capacity to receive a certain quantity of hydrogen, the impact on equipment and appliances, and understand the technical challenges associated with its distribution.
Énergir's Lavaltrie network has been selected for the fourth phase of the hydrogen injection project, which aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of mixing a small proportion (5%) of hydrogen with the natural gas already present. Hydrogen injection into this network is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Pilot project
École de technologie gazière (ETG), Boucherville
Energy-District
The Energy District is an innovative training facility for people who work with natural gas. There’s a mini-gas network with streets, homes, metering facilities, several natural gas appliances, a leak test area, and an emergency simulation area.
- Injection of a natural gas/hydrogen mixture
- Tests performed on residential and commercial appliances
- A known environment controlled by Énergir
- Training for Énergir employees
Le Sud-Ouest borough, Montréal
Énergir Urban Heating and Cooling (Énergir CCU)
Énergir CCU owns and operates three distinct steam, hot water, and cold water networks used to heat and cool commercial buildings. Its 3-kilometre network serves 1.8 million square metres of varied facilities and meets the energy needs of one third of the commercial space in downtown Montréal.
- Injection of a natural gas/hydrogen mixture
- Tests performed on industrial appliances (boilers) similar to many systems used in Canada
- No impact on the supply, operations, or production of Énergir CCU customers
- A known environment controlled by Énergir and its subsidiary
Real-world demonstrations
Large industrial customer
KRONOS Canada Inc.'s Varenne plant is committed to reducing its GHG emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy in its processes, and is taking part in the following demonstration project.
- Demonstration on a wide range of equipment
- Injection of a blend of natural gas and up to 20% hydrogen
- Established, instrumented plant for close monitoring of the demonstration
Lavaltrie network in Lanaudière
The project involves mixing hydrogen with natural gas to obtain a gaseous mixture and injecting it into our network. The proportions are 5% hydrogen and 95% natural gas.
Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that hydrogen injection has no impact on Énergir's network and equipment.
- A closed network that makes it easy to control the proportions of H2 and natural gas mixtures
- An up-to-date natural gas network
- A variety of customers, equipment and consumption rates:
- 4 residential, 83 commercial and 10 industrial customers
- Énergir's nearby delivery substation can accommodate injection facilities.
These sites were chosen because they enable us to carry out tests in a controlled environment on a variety of equipment similar to that found at our customers' sites, without affecting their operations and production.
This representation is important to enable us to test whether blending hydrogen and natural gas is a solution that could eventually be used in our network to reduce the carbon footprint.
Tests at ETG's Quartier de l'énergie in Boucherville and at Énergir CCU in Montreal were completed in the fall of 2022. The demonstration project in Varennes is underway and should be completed by the end of 2024. The Lavaltrie project is scheduled for injection in early 2026.
The various stages of the project are carried out at controlled sites, enabling us to assess the impact of a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen on different types of installations, without compromising the provision of natural gas distribution services.
At Énergir, safety and prevention are of paramount importance, which is why we are committed to high standards in this area. The results of phases 1 and 2, corroborated by scientific research, attest to the absence of risks associated with the integration of hydrogen (H2) in concentrations not exceeding 20%.
It should also be borne in mind that, in addition to the hydrogen tanks, the hydrogen will then be mixed with natural gas, and that the properties of this mixture are much the same as those of natural gas.
Several preventive, monitoring and safety measures have been put in place.
First of all, the injection equipment and hydrogen tanks will be fitted with measuring instruments that will enable us to detect any variation in the network, as well as a number of safety devices. In addition, the project is being closely monitored by trained Énergir personnel.
Finally, the fire safety services in the areas concerned by the pilot projects have been informed so that they can intervene at any time.
Contact us for any questions or comments
Énergir is committed to maintaining communication with the public and interested stakeholders.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call us at 1 833 365-3630 or e-mail us at [email protected].