A group of eleven transmission system operators presented a concept in Brussels entitled “European Hydrogen Backbone” to connect European “Hydrogen Valleys” through a 6.800 kilometer long hydrogen network. The pipeline system could be completed gradually from the mid-2020s to 2030. By 2040, the network is expected to be 23.000 kilometers long; 75 percent consists of repurposed natural gas pipelines, connected by new sections (25 percent).
In this way, two parallel transmission networks would be created: a pure hydrogen network and a (bio) methane network. The hydrogen network could be used for the energy-efficient transport of the gas over long distances, taking into account possible hydrogen imports.
The costs for setting up this network are estimated to be between 27 and 64 billion euros. This estimate refers to costs of 0,09 to 0,17 euros per kilogram of hydrogen per 1.000 kilometers. “The relatively large range is essentially due to uncertainties in location-dependent densification costs,” said the companies.
“The network is of essential importance for a future European hydrogen market” and is “a truly European project with strong connections to the eastern member states,” explains Daniel Muthmann from the Essen-based transmission system operator Open Grid Europe (OGE). In mid-June, the EU Commission presented its European Hydrogen Strategy, which underlined the need to create a pure hydrogen network in the EU (we reported).
“European Hydrogen Backbone” was developed by Enagás (Spain), Energinet (Denmark), Fluxys Belgium (Belgium), Gasunie (Netherlands), GRTgaz (France), NET4GAS (Czech Republic), OGE (Germany), ONTRAS (Germany), Snam ( Italy), Swedegas (Sweden) and Teréga (France) with the support of the consulting service provider Guidehouse.
At the beginning of this year, the transmission system operators ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, GRTgaz SA and GRTgaz Deutschland GmbH signed a memorandum of understanding intended to “improve the exchange of knowledge and research in the transport and mixing of hydrogen and natural gas in their networks”. One of the agreed projects concerns a gas filter managed by ONTRAS, which separates methane and hydrogen compounds from a mixed gas stream. The aim is “to build a pilot membrane set for the separation of hydrogen from hydrogen-natural gas mixtures with high purity”. According to ONTRAS, it has “many years of experience with mixed gas streams”, as two power-to-gas systems have been producing hydrogen “for many years into the transmission network”. European cooperation on hydrogen separation, among other things, opens up “new opportunities to use existing networks for future cross-border transport of green gas,” said Ralph Bahke, Managing Director of ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, in January.
Deep link:
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/128321/4654696
https://www.ontras.com/fileadmin/Dokumente_Newsroom/Presseinformationen/20200715_European_Hydrogen_Backbone_Report.pdf
https://www.ontras.com/fileadmin/Dokumente_Newsroom/Presseinformationen/2020-01-13_PI_OmU_GRTgaz-F-D-ONTRAS_de.pdf
Photos:
Plan of a European H2 backbone for 2040 / © Guidehouse
