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India-Germany Forge Hydrogen Pact to Green Natural Gas Infrastructure

India's PNGRB and Germany's DVGW have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a cooperative framework for integrating hydrogen into natural gas infrastructure. The agreement, exchanged by the ambassadors of both nations in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, aims to develop evidence-based regulations and technical standards. Key deliverables include access to German technical rules, the creation of a Hydrogen Readiness Testing Scheme, and the development of network simulation tools for hydrogen blends. This initiative supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and PNGRB's efforts to amend its Act to explicitly include hydrogen transportation.

Key Points: India & Germany Sign MoU for Hydrogen Integration in Gas Grid

  • MoU for hydrogen standards & testing
  • Focus on blending & 100% hydrogen readiness
  • Technical exchanges & certification schemes
  • Supports National Green Hydrogen Mission
2 min read

PNGRB signs MoU with Germany's DVGW to establish framework for cooperation on hydrogen integration in natural gas

PNGRB and Germany's DVGW sign a cooperation framework for hydrogen blending standards, testing, and regulatory readiness in India's gas networks.

"to establish a framework for cooperation on hydrogen integration in natural gas infrastructure - Official Statement"

Gandhinagar, January 12

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, and DVGW - German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday to establish a framework for cooperation on hydrogen integration in natural gas infrastructure.

The MoU, exchanged by Ajit Vinayak Gupte, Ambassador of India to Germany and Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India, in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is intended to support evidence-based regulation and standardisation, initially for hydrogen blending and progressively for 100% hydrogen applications, subject to statutory mandate.

It is a non-binding framework with specific activities to be pursued through separately agreed workplans/arrangements.

Key technical workstreams and deliverables envisaged access to relevant DVGW technical rules/test principles (with translation support where required) and standards adoption/adaptation for Indian operating conditions; a Hydrogen Readiness Testing Scheme (HRTS) (materials, component/loop tests, field pilots); Hydrogen-ready certification and a supporting database of suitable components/processes; Network simulation tools for blends (up to ~20% initially) with a roadmap towards 100% hydrogen.

Exchange of practices on odorisation, leak detection and safety methodologies, along with technical exchanges/visits as appropriate is also a crucial deliverable.

Technical visits/knowledge exchange and, where required, anonymised data sharing, subject to confidentiality and facilitation through MNRE for matters beyond PNGRB's current remit.

PNGRB has initiated work to facilitate future readiness of India's natural gas infrastructure, with a focus on hydrogen blending with natural gas and progressive retrofitment/repurposing of gas systems.

Clause 6.4 of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) recognises PNGRB's role in facilitating a regulatory framework for hydrogen use in Refineries and City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks. PNGRB has also conveyed suggestions for amendments to the PNGRB Act, 2006 to explicitly include hydrogen transportation through pipelines and hydrogen-natural gas blends, to enable regulatory clarity as hydrogen pipeline deployment emerges.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative, but the key will be execution and cost. Who will bear the cost of retrofitting our existing gas networks? Will it lead to higher prices for CNG and PNG for common people? The MoU is non-binding, so we need to see concrete workplans soon.
R
Rohit P
Hydrogen blending is the future for energy security and reducing imports. Glad to see PM Modi pushing for such tech collaborations. The focus on safety standards and leak detection is very important. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the energy sector, the technical details here are impressive. The Hydrogen Readiness Testing Scheme and certification database are exactly the kind of foundational work needed. This collaboration could make India a hub for hydrogen-ready component manufacturing.
V
Vikram M
Hope the "adaptation for Indian operating conditions" is taken seriously. Our climate, soil conditions, and operational challenges are very different from Germany's. We can't just copy-paste their solutions. The amendment to the PNGRB Act is a crucial first step for regulatory clarity.
K
Kavya N
This is promising! 👏 If we can successfully integrate green hydrogen into our city gas networks, it will be a major win for cleaner cooking and transportation fuel. The knowledge exchange on safety is most welcome. Let's hope the momentum continues.

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