H2SITE and SNAM Partner on Hydrogen and Natural Gas Separation Project
H2SITE, a leader in hydrogen separation technology and transportation solutions, has partnered with SNAM, a major energy infrastructure operator in Europe, to develop an innovative project aimed at separating hydrogen and natural gas mixtures.
H2SITE, a pioneer in hydrogen separation technology and transportation solutions, has announced a strategic collaboration with SNAM, one of Europe’s leading energy infrastructure operators. Together, they aim to develop an innovative project focused on separating hydrogen from natural gas mixtures. This project is a significant step toward advancing hydrogen integration into the energy mix and supporting the ongoing global transition to cleaner energy sources.
As part of the initiative, H2SITE has designed an advanced Pd-alloy membrane separator capable of efficiently extracting hydrogen from natural gas mixtures with hydrogen concentrations ranging from 2% to 10%. Once fully operational, this unit will be the largest of its kind, setting a new benchmark in hydrogen separation technology. The system is designed to separate hydrogen at low concentrations while achieving exceptionally high recovery rates, marking a key milestone in the push for scalable hydrogen solutions.
The Pd-alloy membrane separator works by extracting hydrogen from natural gas mixtures while preserving the integrity of the remaining natural gas. This allows the recovered hydrogen to be used in a variety of applications, including fuel cells, hydrogen-to-power solutions such as gas turbines and engines, and high-temperature industrial ovens.
At the same time, the separator reduces the hydrogen content in the residual natural gas, ensuring that the composition of the gas remains within acceptable limits. This is especially important for industrial consumers whose processes cannot tolerate significant hydrogen concentrations. The technology also helps meet regulatory requirements for natural gas compositions, ensuring compliance with local and national gas grid standards.
One of the key features of H2SITE’s Pd-alloy membrane separator is its ability to operate at pressures above 50 bar, a critical factor for large-scale hydrogen storage applications, such as salt caverns or depleted reservoirs. The ability to separate hydrogen from natural gas at this scale demonstrates the system’s potential to support long-term hydrogen storage and distribution projects, facilitating the integration of hydrogen into existing and new infrastructure.
H2SITE’s hydrogen separation technology has already been successfully validated with gas distribution grid operators. These validations have demonstrated that the technology is compatible with existing gas distribution infrastructure, allowing for the seamless transport of hydrogen-natural gas mixtures. Moreover, the technology has proven its efficiency in separating hydrogen from the natural gas stream, producing high-purity hydrogen while simultaneously ensuring that the residual natural gas maintains its quality and is free from unwanted hydrogen content. This dual functionality is essential for ensuring the continued reliability of the gas supply and maintaining the integrity of both hydrogen and natural gas streams.
The project further strengthens H2SITE’s strategic relationships with major infrastructure players, including transmission system operators (TSOs), distribution system operators (DSOs), and other stakeholders interested in advancing hydrogen separation technologies. The collaboration with SNAM, a key player in Europe’s energy infrastructure, underscores the growing importance of integrating hydrogen into the existing energy system, particularly through the use of pipelines and storage solutions like salt caverns.
The initiative also benefits from the support of the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks, and Environment (ARERA), which has helped facilitate H2SITE’s commercial growth in the Italian market. This collaboration with ARERA fosters new partnerships, encourages the adoption of innovative technologies, and supports the energy transition across Italy and beyond.
This hydrogen separation project represents a significant step toward decarbonizing the energy sector. By utilizing existing natural gas infrastructure—such as pipelines and storage caverns—H2SITE and SNAM are laying the groundwork for integrating hydrogen as a clean, renewable energy source. The ability to separate hydrogen from natural gas in a cost-effective and scalable manner accelerates the transition to a hydrogen-powered energy system, enabling industries to reduce carbon emissions while leveraging existing infrastructure to manage energy storage and distribution.
In summary, this partnership between H2SITE and SNAM highlights the potential of hydrogen as a key resource for sustainable energy. By developing advanced separation technologies and leveraging existing infrastructure, the companies are making hydrogen integration into the energy grid a reality. This collaboration is a crucial step in supporting the clean energy transition, enabling the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a versatile and low-emission energy source.
About H2SITE
H2SITE, founded in 2020, is a technology company specializing in the on-site production and separation of high-purity hydrogen. Using exclusive palladium-alloy membrane reactor technology, H2SITE efficiently converts various feedstocks—such as ammonia, methanol, and syngas—into hydrogen. The company also enables the separation of hydrogen from low-concentration gaseous mixtures, providing solutions for applications like salt caverns or geological hydrogen storage. By decentralizing hydrogen production through innovative ammonia cracking and separation solutions, H2SITE addresses key challenges related to cost-effective hydrogen transportation and storage, significantly reducing associated costs and emissions.
