Adani Group's municipal gas distribution firm, Adani Total Gas Ltd, unveiled a pilot project on green hydrogen generation and mixing on Tuesday as part of its efforts to diversify its energy mix, build a hydrogen ecosystem, and cut CO2 emissions.

Adani Total Gas will use cutting-edge technology to combine Green Hydrogen (GH2) with natural gas for approximately 4,000 residential and business clients in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as part of the project. GH2 is made by electrolysis of water with renewable energy-generated power. Hydrogen blending emits less CO2 than burning petrol while providing the same heating capacity. According to a stock exchange filing, the project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024-25, and the percentage of green hydrogen in the blend will be gradually increased to up to 8% or more, depending on regulatory permissions.

According to the firm, if the pilot is completed successfully, hydrogen blended fuel will be gradually distributed to bigger parts of the city and other Adani Total Gas license territories. According to studies, a hydrogen blend of up to 8% can lower emissions by up to 4%.

Adani Total Gas claims that with this pilot, it hopes to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, to share firsthand knowledge and build an ecosystem around hydrogen blending in city gas distribution in India. This will also aid in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge about operational aspects and the compatibility of mixed fuel with existing infrastructure, according to the report.

"We are fully committed to constructing an environmentally sustainable operation, and this project represents our ongoing commitment to national infrastructure development in order for India to achieve energy independence by 2047." "We are actively contributing to the evolution of the industry and driving progress in sustainable energy solutions by investing in such innovative projects," says Suresh P Manglani, executive director and CEO of Adani Total Gas.

Adani Total Gas provides piped natural gas (PNG) to commercial, industrial and residential users, as well as compressed natural gas (CNG) to the transportation industry. Given its gas distribution mandate, which covers 38 Geographical Areas (GAs), or 8% of India's population, the business plays an important part in the country's efforts to increase the amount of natural gas in its energy mix. ATGL manages 19 of the 38 GAs, while Indian Oil-Adani Gas Private Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Adani Total Gas and Indian Oil Corporation, manages the others.

Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle maker, will deliver Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation in September 2023. These buses will be evaluated as viable mass transportation alternatives for inter- and intra-city travel.