H2 REN

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Renewable gases

H2REN Programme

The H2REN Programme was created in 2022 as part of the REN Group's cross-cutting strategy for renewable gases, to coordinate renewable gas activities across all areas of the Group.

With the involvement of more than 80 employees, its purpose is to ensure that the gas transport, underground storage and distribution infrastructures under its concession are prepared to receive hydrogen (H2), a critical factor in complying with the decarbonisation process in the gas sector and essential for the success, competitiveness and future of energy systems.

pilot project

H2 Braga

H2 Braga is a pilot project expected to be carried out during the first half of 2026, supplying a group of customers in the municipality of Braga with blend hydrogen (H2) with natural gas, where H2 will be injected in the transmission network in São Cosme do Vale.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Quality of Service Regulation for the electricity and gas sectors, this project is promoted by REN Gasodutos in partnership with REN Portgás. Both companies operate certified gas infrastructures to transport and distribute blendings of H2 with Natural Gas.

H2 Braga provides for injections of up to 10% H2 blending in the gas distributed to customers, complying with the regulatory framework in force and ensuring compatibility with domestic and industrial equipment used.

 

The H2 Braga pilot project was approved by ERSE - Regulatory Authority and the General Directorate of Energy and Geology (DGEG), and is part of the H2 REN Programme, following the national and European energy policy guidelines on hydrogen and the legal framework in place, namely the National Hydrogen Strategy (EN-H2), and the Decree – Law 62/2020, in its current version.

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Renewable Gases Guide REN Portgás (PT)
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H2 Braga

What are the goals?

  • Testing the infrastructure's operation, under real conditions, with blended H2 with natural gas in a controlled environment, promoting its improvement and optimisation;
  • Consolidating the articulation and the information exchange between the transmission Network operator and the distribution Network operator reinforcing skills National Gas System management with renewable gas;
  • Optimising the operation and the control system of the Blending and Injection Station and the gas quality control in transmission and distribution gas system;
  • Developing and updating operation, maintenance, safety and emergency response manuals and procedures for facilities operation with blends up to 10% H2 and up to 100% H2;
  • Training transmission and distribution teams with the skills to operate with blends of up to 10% H2 and up to 100% H2;
  • Consolidating the preparation of the transmission networks' operation for the decarbonization process of the gas system.

H2 Braga

Where will it take place?

The injection of hydrogen into the National Gas Transmission Network will be carried out throug  a Blending and Injection Station (EMI) in São Cosme do Vale, Vila Nova de Famalicão.

The H2 blended with natural gas is then transported through a high-pressure pipeline to the Municipality of Braga, where a pressure reduction is carried out through an existing Gas Reduction and Metering Station to the Portgás distribution network.

From here, it will reach approximately 19,500 customer installations (residential, commercial, and industrial).

Mapa H2Braga
H2 Braga

What are the advantages?

social

Social

The gradual introduction of hydrogen into the gas network is a step forward towards lower dependence on fossil natural gas and greater safety of the national energy supply.

This project validates that the gas infrastructures operations are with H2 blended with natural gas are technically viable and safe.

Ambiental

Environmental

Hydrogen, when produced using renewable technologies, does not generate combustion emissions, thus reducing the environmental footprint of the energy system.

H2 injection in Portuguese Gas Transmission System, equivalent to the planned for the H2 Braga Project, allows on about 9.75 tons CO2 eq/year carbon dioxide emission reduction.

If we consider the possibility of accommodating up to 10% H2 in the Portuguese Gas System this amounts can reach about 210 kton CO2 eq/year (3% of the total emissions are avoided).

economica

Cost-effective

With economies of scale, hydrogen technologies tend to become competitive. This pilot project validates the technical viability of gas Transmission and Distribution operation with H2 blended with natural gas, creating the conditions to capture this opportunity.

In addition, the use of hydrogen reduces the need to import fossil fuels as natural gas, and Portugal's exposure to its price volatility.

H2 Braga

How long will it take?

The H2 Braga project has an estimated duration of up to 18 months. Nevertheless, the injection of hydrogen into the National Gas Transmission Network is estimated to be carried out during the first half of 2026.

H2 Braga

How many people will be covered?

Approximately 19,500 consumers, services, will be covered by H2 Braga. During project operation, this consumers will be supplied with natural gas blended with up to 10% hydrogen.

According to the specific H2 Braga Project technical studies, no negative impacts were identified on domestic consumers' facilities beyond the gas emission reductions estimated.

Nevertheless, and following ERSE project approval conditions, for the industrial consumers, a survey was conducted on the types of combustion equipment and their uses, validating its technical viability to operate with blends of hydrogen with natural gas, in line with the technical studies already carried out.

Domestic and small business customers, as well as the services involved, will be informed individually on the relevant project steps.

Additionally, REN Gasodutos and REN Portgás will disclose the project results, and well as ensure that the hydrogen levels in the gas blend remain within the regulated operating limits. No constraints are expected.

How does it work?

REN Gasodutos install a Blending and Injection Station (BIS) in São Cosme do Vale, where hydrogen will be injected into the Gas Transmission Network and blended with natural gas, which will then be transported to the Portgás Distribution Network which supplies consumers.

The natural gas blending with H2 will be continuously monitored and controlled since the injection point to the final consumer. The BIS will be fed by H2 storage (bottle trailers with about 5,000 m3 of hydrogen at a pressure of 200 bar).

The Control of the H2 limits will be ensured by two H2 analysers, at the BIS outlet, measuring the concentration of H2 in natural gas and validating the operation control. Additionally, two hydrogen sensors will also be installed in the gas flow for both control and monitoring.
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H2 Braga

What results are to be achieved?

This project enables to consolidate of the operational processes of transmission (REN) and distribution (REN Portgás) networks with blends of hydrogen with natural gas.

H2 Braga also enable training teams to operate under these conditions.

How to know more about H2 Braga?
For further information on H2 Braga, please use the email h2braga@portgas.pt or the numbers 222 426 200 / 808 100 900.

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Frequently asked questions

The blending of hydrogen with natural gas is simple mix of two gases, within the limits defined by regulations, to be used by current gas consumers.

Part of the natural gas is replaced with hydrogen (up to 10% volume in the case of H2 Braga), thereby reducing emissions and helping decarbonise this sector, meeting the   energy transition goals.

It is worth mentioning that REN has already certified the National Gas Transmission Network for the use of 10% hydrogen and the REN Portgás distribution network to operate up to 20%.

The hydrogen limits will be monitored and controlled since the injection point to the end consumer.

To ensure full safety and quality of supply to consumers, adequate control of the hydrogen flow will be ensured by two analysers at the BIS outlet, which measure the concentration of hydrogen in the natural gas and validate the operation control.

Two hydrogen sensors will also be installed in the gas flow for additional control and monitoring.

In October 2024, REN certified all its infrastructures for the transmission, distribution and storage of hydrogen blends (between 10 and 20%) with natural gas, pursuant to the decarbonisation goals defined by the Government in the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC 2030).

This certification, issued by Bureau Veritas, confirmed that, technically, REN meets, through some adaptations reported to the Portuguese Government and under implementation, the conditions to operate with blendings of hydrogen with natural gas up to 10% in the National Gas Transmission Network and in the Underground Storage of Carriço and up to 20% in the National Gas Distribution Network operated by REN Portgás.

H2 Braga covers three groups of consumers: households, small businesses and services, and industries.

Household and small business customers and services will be informed of the entire process, and REN is available at h2braga@portgas.pt under this email and phone numbers 222 426 200 / 808 100 900 to provide all the needed clarifications.

As for industrial consumers, a survey of the type of equipment and its use was conducted validating its operation with hydrogen blended with natural gas.

No significant impacts on these consumers are known or anticipated, according technical specific analysis carried out by REN.

Yes. The introduction of up to 20% hydrogen in the gas distribution network (H2 Braga will use a blend up to 10% hydrogen only) is considered technically feasible for most domestic and tertiary customers, and is not expected to cause relevant obstacles to the operation of the existing equipment, according technically analysis carried out.

The main parameters, such as Lower Calorific Value, flammability limits and minimum ignition energy, have marginal variations in this blending range and comply with the Quality-of-Service Regulation.

Technical studies show that combustion remains stable, the energy delivered to the equipment is similar, and there is no significant increase in the risk of ignition or unwanted emissions.

No. The introduction of up to 20% hydrogen in the gas distribution network (H2 Braga uses a blend with up to 10% hydrogen only) is considered technically feasible for most domestic and tertiary customers.

H2 Braga covers three groups of consumers: households, small businesses and services, and industriesl. Domestic and small business customers and services will be informed about the entire process. Because it is not necessary, they will not be inspected.

Industrial consumers are subject to a detailed survey on the type of use and its equipment to ensure that they are able to operate with blends of H2 with natural gas.

No. All studies show that the introduction of up to 20% hydrogen in the gas distribution network (H2 Braga will use a blend with only 10% hydrogen) does not cause changes in combustion, energy delivered to the equipment and that there is no relevant change in ignition or unwanted emissions.

The main parameters, such as Lower Calorific Value, flammability limits and minimum ignition energy, undergo marginal variations in this blend range and comply with the Quality-of-Service Regulation.

If you notice any reporting need, you should immediately contact REN / Portgás through the numbers 222 426 200 / 808 100 900.

For further information on H2 Braga, please use the email h2braga@portgas.pt or the numbers 222 426 200 / 808 100 900.

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