(Berlin) - A parallel expansion of hydrogen and electricity networks could bring renewable energies better to Europe's industrial centers and also save up to 70 billion euros annually. A “smartly planned hydrogen network” could be built with almost 70 percent of existing gas pipelines. Even without any expansion of the transmission networks, the energy transition towards renewable energy sources would be possible without energy imports. These are the results of an analysis by scientists from TU Berlin and Aarhus University.
Four scenarios examined
“In our study, we looked at four different network expansion scenarios for a CO2-neutral European energy system: the exclusive expansion of the electricity network, the sole development of a hydrogen network, the expansion of both networks and the case in which no expansion of the network infrastructure takes place,” says Fabian Neumann from Department of “Digital Change in Energy Systems” at the TU Berlin. In all four cases, an energy transition towards exclusive supply with the help of renewable energies would be feasible. “Our analysis also shows that between 64 and 69 percent of a future hydrogen network could sensibly be created from converted natural gas pipelines, which saves costs.”
If one were to switch almost entirely to renewable energy sources and only expand the electricity network in Europe, one could save six to eight percent of the total costs of energy supply in Europe compared to the scenario with today's network. The savings would result primarily from the fact that the cheapest locations for generating electricity from wind and solar would be used, the electricity would be brought directly to the densely populated industrial centers with high consumption and local fluctuations in wind generation would also be compensated for. “The wind is almost always blowing somewhere in Europe,” explains Neumann. In addition, real dark lulls are, after all, relatively rare or unlikely on a large scale.
Conversion of the gas network for hydrogen
If only the gas network were converted into a hydrogen network and a few additional new hydrogen pipelines were built, savings of two to three percent of the total costs for the energy system in Europe would be possible. This smaller effect compared to the first scenario is due to the fact that electricity from wind power and solar systems is used to produce green hydrogen, which could otherwise be fed directly into the power grid. This additional conversion step would result in energy losses unless the hydrogen is further processed or stored in salt caverns for a longer period of time.
Electricity, on the other hand, can be used more flexibly, for example to operate heat pumps or electric cars. “A combination of expanding the electricity and hydrogen network would be most advantageous,” explains Fabian Neumann. If combined cleverly, savings of up to ten percent would be possible. “However, the power grid would still have to roughly double in size for this,” says the study. “However, this could happen with greater social acceptance if highly controversial power lines could be bypassed with the help of the hydrogen network.” A saving of ten percent would correspond to around 70 billion euros per year in Europe.
Coordinating the European energy transition
It is becoming increasingly important to coordinate the expansion of energy infrastructure across countries and sectors, emphasizes Neumann. “In order to achieve climate neutrality cost-effectively, the locations of energy production, transport, conversion and storage must be planned in an integrated manner, as they depend heavily on each other.” This is a central demand from the researchers to politicians.
Countries in southern Europe such as Spain, Italy and Greece would benefit greatly from well-developed networks as exporters of solar power or hydrogen to European industrial regions. Likewise, those bordering the North and Baltic Seas with good grid connections could also rely on energy exports from offshore wind farms.
“However, it would also be an option for countries with a high renewable energy capacity to increasingly attract energy-intensive industries through low energy prices.” They would then have little ambition for grid expansion. The various interests should be reconciled so that everyone benefits from the transformation of the energy system.
The study “The potential role of a hydrogen network in Europe” is available free of charge in English as a PDF (75 pages)
Photos
“The wind is always blowing somewhere in Europe”: A study sees significant advantages in the combination of expanding the networks for electricity and hydrogen for the advancement of the energy transition (Image: 26 MW wind farm “Altenbruch 2” from Cuxhaven PNA AG) © PNA AG
