NiSource Announces Blending Project with Hydrogen, Natural Gas

NiSource, an Indiana-based utility, has launched a multi-phase hydrogen blending project, one of the first installations in the U.S. blending hydrogen and natural gas. For optimal performance, the project uses a blending skid to mix hydrogen and natural gas at precise levels. The skid enables regulated blending of hydrogen into natural gas systems at percentages ranging from 2% to 20%. The project includes a model home with natural gas-powered appliances to simulate daily gas use and test the blended fuel. NiSource aims to explore hydrogen-natural gas blends for industries beyond residential spaces, such as power plants and factories.

“Lloyd Yates, NiSource president and CEO, and other company officials participated in an Oct. 5 launch ceremony at the Columbia Gas Training Center’s Safety Town in Monaca, Pennsylvania, where the blending skid was built. The skid enables regulated blending of hydrogen into Safety Town’s natural gas systems at percentages ranging from 2% to 20%. Yates previously told S&P Global Commodity Insights that Northern Indiana Public Service Co., a NiSource subsidiary, would repower a turbine at one of its gas-fired power plants to burn gas and hydrogen. The company has not announced the site of that project, though executives last year raised the possibility of hydrogen blending projects at some of the utility’s gas-fired power plants in Indiana. NiSource in its 2022 Integrated Annual Report noted that the company is pursuing “several” hydrogen hub proposals across the utility’s operating territory.”

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