Dominion Energy advances hydrogen as clean energy source

Dominion Energy will continue its transformation to clean energy by investing in multiple pilot programs using hydrogen as an energy source, as well as sponsoring research and development programs.

Transitioning to hydrogen, an energy source that does everything natural gas can do but with fewer emissions, will help the company achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, the company said. When combined with natural gas for heating buildings or generating electricity, hydrogen can support decarbonization of other industries, like transportation and manufacturing.

“Hydrogen is a huge innovation in clean energy,” said Mark Webb, Chief Innovation Officer at Dominion Energy. “It’s clean energy for homes and businesses and also clean fuel for vehicles and manufacturing plants,” Webb continued. “Few other energy sources have the potential to do so much good, so broadly across the economy. We’re investing in hydrogen today so it can hopefully transform the clean energy landscape in 5 or 10 years.”

The company said it is developing multiple pilot projects to blend hydrogen into its gas distribution system, starting with a pilot program at the company’s Training Academy in Utah. By blending hydrogen and gas at a 95 to 5 percent ratio, the company will test its system to learn how hydrogen works in gas lines and appliances before blending it into its larger system serving more than 1 million customers in Utah. The company recently proposed a similar pilot program in North Carolina.

“We’re reimagining the kinds of energy we deliver to our customers through our wires and pipes,” said Craig Wagstaff, senior vice president of Western Gas Distribution at Dominion Energy. “Just as we’re building solar and wind to deliver more clean energy to our electric customers, we’re developing hydrogen and renewable natural gas to deliver more clean energy to our gas customers. It’s all about embracing new technologies to build a clean energy economy for our customers and the climate.”

Additionally, the company is sponsoring the Low Carbon Resources Initiative – a five-year, $100 million research and development effort focused on emerging clean energy technologies.

Dominion Energy serves 7 million customers in 16 states with electricity and natural gas systems to power their homes and businesses.