Germany puts into operation pilot hydrogen network

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research revealed the launch of a 130-metre pilot hydrogen network as part of the TransHyDE initiative which is aimed at developing a hydrogen transport infrastructure in the country.

The pilot network was set up at the site of German energy major RWE AG (ETR:RWE) in Lingen, Lower Saxony, and consists of pipelines previously used for gas delivery. The mini network is designed to test various technologies for hydrogen transportation including systems for measuring hydrogen quality and flow, purification technologies, and inspection methods.

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The project aims to address the challenges of converting existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen use. Overall, Germany seeks to set up a 9,700-kilometre hydrogen network by 2032, with 60% of the network being repurposed natural gas pipelines.

The pilot project is being carried out in cooperation between RWE, transmission system operators Nowega and OGE, chemicals company Evonik Industries, the University of Potsdam, pipeline monitoring service provider Adlares, gas analytical solutions provider Meter-Q Solutions, technology group Rosen, and the gas and water association DVGW.

In 2022, the parties received EUR 11.63 million (USD 12.8m) from the German government to study the transportation of green hydrogen.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.104)