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 renewable electricity, as well as having a hydrogen 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 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. This is the equivalent horsepower to 13 million horses.

Associated SDG targets