Delgaz Grid, part of the E.ON Group in Romania, has announced the rollout of three pilot projects designed to advance the country’s green gas capabilities and prepare its infrastructure for a low-carbon future.
The projects - BioMethaneMix, BlendUp30, and HyGrid100 - represent a national first and aim to support Romania’s energy transition through the integration of biomethane and hydrogen into gas networks.
BioMethaneMix will focus on upgrading biogas produced at wastewater treatment plants and industrial platforms into biomethane, which will be injected into a section of the natural gas distribution system. The project will validate each technical stage and test the performance of a biomethane-natural gas blend over a minimum six-month period. The launch is planned for 2026, with completion expected in 2027.
The second project, BlendUp30, will test the operation of existing gas distribution networks and household appliances with natural gas blends containing 23% and 30% hydrogen. The long-term trial, scheduled from 2026 to 2028, will run across three network segments - each constructed from different materials including steel and two types of polyethylene - and in three different localities. This phase will assess the safety, performance, and consumer experience associated with hydrogen-enriched gas supplies.
HyGrid100, the third and most advanced project, will explore the use of 100% hydrogen in a section of the gas distribution network made of PE 100 plastic piping. In its initial phase, tests will take place in a controlled environment at Delgaz Grid’s test centre in Mediaș using newly installed hydrogen-ready appliances. Subject to safety approval, a second phase will involve a live operational network supplying residential users with compatible appliances. The project is expected to conclude in 2028.
Delgaz Grid is also finalising its 30HyGrid pilot, which extends the findings of the earlier 20HyGrid project that demonstrated the feasibility of using a 20% hydrogen blend in existing Romanian gas infrastructure. 30HyGrid will test hydrogen blends up to 35% - the upper threshold before system modifications are required - across both domestic and non-domestic customers.
“These pilot projects are essential for the future of Romania’s gas industry,” said Cristian Secoșan, CEO of Delgaz Grid. “We are preparing our networks to be compatible with hydrogen and biomethane, and setting the foundation for a cleaner, more resilient energy system.”
Dr. Cristian Călin, director of green gas and decarbonisation programmes at Delgaz Grid, added: “By building practical experience and supporting regulatory progress, we aim to reduce the costs of green energy technologies over time, making them more accessible to all users while cutting emissions.”
Delgaz Grid launches three pilot projects for green gas in Romanian national first
