Using an existing gas pipeline to transport hydrogen


The success of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 and that of renewable hydrogen will depend on having access to abundant, low cost and renewable electricity, as well as having a infrastructure in place.

What better way to create infrastructure for transporting hydrogen, than using what is already in place? In the Netherlands, Gasunie, an energy network operator, has a pipeline which it used in the past to transport natural gas to two chemical companies, Yara and Dow. With a few adjustments, the underground pipeline has been given new purpose to transport hydrogen efficiently and safely.

The 12-kilometre long pipeline is in use on a commercial basis to transport more than 4 kilotons hydrogen per year. Transporting hydrogen via the pipeline lowers energy consumption by 0,15 petajoule per year. This compares to annual gas usage of 3000 households. It also reduces CO2 emissions by 10.000 tonnes.

The aim is to transport hydrogen to a third chemical company, ICL-IP in future. By 2030 the network could have a capacity of over 10 Gigawatt.

Associated SDG targets

SDG 7 - Affordable And Clean Energy
SDG 17-PartnershipsForTheGoals
UN SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 12-ResponsibleConsumptionAndProduction
SDG Goal 13 Climate Action
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