New report: 96% of the European gas distribution pipeline material is fit for conversion to hydrogen

96% of the material for gas distribution pipelines supplying 67 million European households, businesses and industrial sites with gas, are ready to be converted for hydrogen transportation, reveals a report published on 13 December.

The Ready4H2 project, consisting of 90 European gas distribution from 16 countries, companies and organisations, today launches the first of a series of reports investigating how gas distribution networks across Europe can support the built up of a strong hydrogen market and realize the Fit-for-55 ambitions.

The report concludes that 96% of the material for the pipelines operated by some of the biggest local gas network operators across Europe are already fit for conversion to hydrogen, and that it is four times cheaper to transport hydrogen by pipeline, than by truck.

- It is truly a big advantage for the green transition, that 96 % of the already existing gas transportation pipelines operated by some of the largest local gas network operators in Europe, are ready to be converted for hydrogen. Additionally, we learn, that in economic regards, it is four times cheaper to transport hydrogen by pipeline than by truck, making the case for a good investment in local gas grids, says Peter Kristensen, Chairman of Ready4H2

Despite the promising potential of hydrogen, a number of technological, commercial, public, regulatory and organizational barriers, still stand in the way of roll out of the hydrogen conversion. These include uncertainties related to price and volumes of the developing hydrogen market; lacking public awareness of the decarbonization benefits of hydrogen. A missing framework at EU level to support the DSOs role in the uptake of hydrogen is also a major obstacle to further development of the market.

As a way to solve the above problems holding back the green transition, the report identified both a need for a stronger operational mandate for local gas networks at a European level, and a need for more operational flexibility at a national/local level to accelerate tailor-made hydrogen solutions for consumers.

- With the upcoming presentation of the ‘’Hydrogen and Decarbonized Gas Package’’ in mid-December by the European Commission, it will be possible to contribute to concrete initiatives of the legislative framework for a better governance of the hydrogen market. In this regard, the Ready4H2 alliance of local energy infrastructure operators have the technological expertise and capacities that are clearly needed to help deliver the Fit-for-55 ambitions, says Peter Kristensen.

As the report concludes, the reality of local energy transitions has to be recognized by the upcoming EU legislation, in creating the possibility for DSOs to be allowed to operate dedicated hydrogen grids, rather than blending in networks only. Additionally, member states should provide DSOs with a mandate to manage the gas quality in their individual networks, thus enabling fit-for-purpose decarbonisation solutions for local suppliers and customers.

The members of the Ready4H2 alliance will continue to accelerate and deliver an inclusive energy transition, and their newly released report underlines, which policies and regulations are needed, in order to bring hydrogen to families and businesses throughout Europe.

About Ready4H2

The Ready4H2 project consists of 90 European gas distribution companies and organisations working together to support the built-up of a strong hydrogen market and create a common European understanding of the future related to the transformation of the gas distributors towards climate neutrality.

Read more and find the full report here.

Share this article: