The Hydrogen Pipeline Pipeline

With the reality of low carbon hydrogen production upon us and strong growth ahead, the industry is logically progressing towards increased investment in pipelines that can deliver such hydrogen to end users. A recent report by Rystad Energy identifies 91 planned projects around the world that would potentially provide 30,300 kilometers of newly constructed hydrogen pipelines by 2035. This is in addition to 4,300 kilometers of pipelines already in existence that primarily transport grey hydrogen to industrial customers in Europe and North America.Furthermore, a group comprising 31 gas transmission system operators (called the European Hydrogen Backbone Initiative or EHB) has opined that up to 60% of existing natural gas pipelines in Europe could be suitable for repurposing to hydrogen with upgrades.

As is the case with other gases, pipelines are the most efficient means of transporting hydrogen where feasible and even more so at higher volumes over longer distances. However, the almost universally arduous permitting processes for constructing new pipelines are a key impediment.Moreover, hydrogen presents certain unique challenges for steel pipelines including the potential for embrittlement and leaks.That said, technology is progressing with reinforced steel, potentially cost-effective reinforced thermoplastic pipes and other new materials being developed to line the inside of steel pipes.

A few examples of hydrogen pipeline projects in the pipeline include:

‍The BarMar Pipeline – Consortium members including Enegas, REN, GRTgaz and Terega will build a EUR2.5 billion, 450km underwater pipeline from Barcelona to Marseille with more recently announced proposals to extend the pipeline to Germany.

‍The AquaDuctus Pipeline – GASCADE and Fluxys will build a 400km pipeline that will collect hydrogen from multiple production sites in the North Sea for transport to Germany.The first connection to a wind-powered hydrogen production site is anticipated to occur in 2030. AquaDuctus is targeting one million tons per year of flows by 2035.

‍Mongolia-Beijing Pipeline – Sinopec will build a 400km pipeline from Inner Mongolia to Beijing with multiple ports along the way to reach customers located between the two endpoints.Initial capacity will be 100,000 tons per year.

‍The Port of Dunkirk Pipeline – Led by GRTgaz, the planned 20km pipeline will connect clean hydrogen producers comprising 1GW of capacity with regional industrial end users.