We operate the first hydrogen mixing station in the GasNet gas distribution system

The very first hydrogen and natural gas mixing station project in the Czech Republic focused on reducing air emissions is the construction of the mixing station in Hranice near Aš. It was commissioned in March 2025. Thanks to a special technology, consumers will now be able to use a blend of natural gas with up to 20 percent hydrogen. Hydrogen is generally considered the fuel of the future because it is relatively easy to produce and its combustion produces no carbon dioxide emissions.

This innovative project aims at reducing emissions and uses so-called green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources, such as photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. For GasNet s.r.o., this is a pilot project intended to verify the technology for mixing hydrogen into its gas distribution system.

Specific control requirements

The control system was supplied by our company ZAT, which has long been developing, manufacturing, and installing control systems for gas regulation and transfer stations.

ZAT is one of two suppliers in the Czech Republic authorized to provide control systems for the country’s critical infrastructure. “Important criteria for selecting the control system supplier for hydrogen gas mixing were compliance with cybersecurity and functional safety requirements. The general contractor, HUTIRA, wanted a proven partner, which is why they chose our company,” says Tomáš Bauer, Marketing and Sales Director at ZAT. For controlling and monitoring the entire mixing station, we used the SandRA control system.

Due to the complexity of the technology, the system had to be divided into several parts. Compared to standard control systems in gas regulation stations, this module is significantly more complex both in the number of connected technologies and in terms of control and regulation. The control system includes technologies for mixing, commercial metering, and more. According to Tomáš Bauer, it is crucial to properly set and regulate these: “The ZAT control system and its development environment allow for very effective simulation and fine-tuning of these new modern devices.”

The mixing station is connected to the GasNet gas distribution network and ensures the blending of high-pressure natural gas with hydrogen. The mixture is then distributed to the regulation station, which supplies end customers. The entire facility is installed in a container, facilitating transportation and installation.

For ZAT, this is the company’s first experience with hydrogen. However, Tomáš Bauer expects that hydrogen will become increasingly common in the future, especially since it is part of the strategy of the Czech Republic and the EU. “We want to carry out more similar projects, including continuing our proven cooperation with HUTIRA,” Bauer concludes.