Power-to-gas is a technique used to create clean sources of natural gas using electricity (often excess renewable electricity). This is done through a process called electrolysis, which uses a device called an electrolyzer that applies electricity to water to split the water into oxygen and hydrogen molecules. The hydrogen can then be used as a clean fuel and can be stored in pipes or underground until needed:
At some time in the future, this may result in gas pipeline systems being converted to hydrogen and our gas appliances being modified to burn this clean fuel.
In the meantime, an additional step can be used to convert the hydrogen to renewable natural gas:
Feasibility of both processes has been demonstrated at multiple locations including projects at University of California-Irvine, the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado, and numerous spots in Europe. A recent whitepaper by the European Power to Gas Platform concluded that power-to-gas coupled with fuel cells and/or high-efficiency combined-cycle gas turbines is a promising multi-purpose tool to provide services including:
- Electric system balancing
- Seasonal energy storage
- Feedstock for decarbonizing chemical and processing industries
- Clean transport fuel
Use of power-to-gas may provide such benefits at a lower cost than investing in electric infrastructure. It is well worth watching the development of the current pilot projects as power-to-gas may provide a future alternative business model for gas utilities in regions where environmental pressures continue to grow.