Aloha,

Hawaiʻi Gas is proud to announce that in a new collaboration with Oceanit, we will pilot their HydroPel technology with our 1,100 miles of gas pipeline network on Oʻahu that can accommodate up to 15 percent hydrogen in our fuel supply mix. Hydrogen–considered a clean fuel when used because its only outputs are water, energy and heat–is an increasingly important piece of the puzzle in the state's 2045 net zero emissions goals and is widely considered a potential solution to the world's energy appetite and decarbonization needs.

HydroPel is a nanocomposite surface treatment that will be applied to the interior walls of our existing steel pipelines to test for its protection against hydrogen embrittlement. Embrittlement is a phenomenon that could occur when hydrogen's relatively small molecules penetrate metals, which can be an issue for steel pipelines operating at high pressures. Even though Hawaiʻi Gas operates our pipelines at low enough pressures where hydrogen embrittlement does not pose a threat, a large portion of the existing U.S. mainland pipeline infrastructure that operates at elevated pressures may be at risk if the concentration of hydrogen is increased in a natural gas fuel mix.

Watch HydroPel Video

When applied to steel pipelines, HydroPel will create a nano-protective barrier on the pipe interior to shield against hydrogen penetration, minimizing diffusion into the metal. HydroPel will also create an ultra-slick surface that reduces drag, thereby reducing the energy cost to compress and transport hydrogen gas.

With support from the U.S. Department of Energy, this pilot project could ultimately help overcome the technological challenges of increasing the concentration of green hydrogen into a natural gas supply mix, which if successful, can be scaled to the nation's existing 3 million miles of natural gas pipelines.

Stanford University Student Visit

In September, our Synthetic Natural Gas Plant in Barber's Point hosted a group of students visiting from Stanford University. There, the students got to tour the plant operations and learned about how Hawaiʻi Gas makes and distributes our synthetic natural gas to Oʻahu customers and how we lead the nation in hydrogen use in our product.

We were so excited to see the next generation of leaders learn with an open mind and have a genuine curiosity for and interest in the energy industry!

Waikalua Loko Iʻa

Mahalo to our Hawaii Gas employees who spent their Saturday at Waikalua Loko Iʻa removing invasive plants, braiding and planting limu, and building wooden tables so more groups can enjoy the beautiful grounds in the future. We are proud of our employeesʻ commitment to giving back to the community with their time and energy.

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a program of the non-profit Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance. Its mission is to attract national and international attention to Hawaii's extraordinary culinary talent and its diverse, high-quality locally grown products.

Hawaiʻi Gas supports their efforts to further local food sustainability efforts, provide cultural and educational programs at local culinary colleges, provide grants for Hawaii chefs, and create programs to help small farms and farmers get their product to consumers.

You can help too by donating or by attending any of the great events that are scheduled across the state through November.

Get Tickets!

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