President Müller: "The authorion of the hydrogen core network is the starting point for the establishment of a Germany-wide hydrogen infrastructure."

"With the approved hydrogen core network, network operators can now gradually build and operate the infrastructure for hydrogen. First lines will be changed from next year. For more than a year and a half, all those involved have worked intensively on the process and planning and have had the not always simple discussions constructively, many thanks for them," said Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency.

The hydrogen core grid is the first step towards the establishment of a Germany-wide hydrogen network. The hydrogen core network connects the future hydrogen clusters throughout Germany. These are bundled up regional and local hydrogen projects, such as in industrial or commercial parks. The hydrogen core net also takes into account the connection with neighbouring states. The Federal Network Agency approved the application with minor adjustments. Only pipes that are necessary for the transport task of the hydrogen core network have been approved.

Way to the hydrogen core net

The transmission system operators (FNB) already carried out market surveys for hydrogen production and demand in the last two grid development plans in gas 2020 and 2022. Lines for the transition from natural gas to hydrogen were also identified. The transmission system operators then developed their own, still non-binding hydrogen modelling in the Gas grid development plan. This also included the first hydrogen cluster in Germany.

The construction and commissioning of the network required more commitment on the producer and demand side as well as the construction of pipelines. For this reason, the German government decided in the spring of 2023 to set up a hydrogen core net. The aim should be to combine the main hydrogen production, import and consumption points throughout Germany.

In parallel to the legislative process for the legal basis, the gas transmission system operators published their planning status in July 2023. This was consulted jointly by the FNB and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. In this context, the criteria for defining the scenario for the hydrogen core network were also published. In addition, for example, operators of gas distribution candles were able to introduce possible line structures.

In November 2023, the draft application for the hydrogen core net was submitted to the Federal Network Agency by the FNB, which was consulted and examined by the Federal Network Agency. The FNB used the results of the consultation and preliminary examination to revise the application. In a few regions, individual lines were added and isolated lines were removed. The application was submitted to the Federal Network Agency on 22.07.2024 on time by the transmission system operators.

Integrated grid development planning gas and hydrogen

The infrastructure is further developed within the framework of the regularly recurring grid development planning gas and hydrogen. In the simultaneous consultation of the scenario frameworks of gas/hydrogen and electricity, possible developments in a common context could be considered. After the scenario framework gas/hydrogen is confirmed by the Federal Network Agency, the transmission system operators and future hydrogen transport operators are adapting the hydrogen network to future challenges.

President Müller: "The authorion of the hydrogen core network is the starting point for the establishment of a Germany-wide hydrogen infrastructure."

"With the approved hydrogen core network, network operators can now gradually build and operate the infrastructure for hydrogen. First lines will be changed from next year. For more than a year and a half, all those involved have worked intensively on the process and planning and have had the not always simple discussions constructively, many thanks for them," said Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency.

The hydrogen core grid is the first step towards the establishment of a Germany-wide hydrogen network. The hydrogen core network connects the future hydrogen clusters throughout Germany. These are bundled up regional and local hydrogen projects, such as in industrial or commercial parks. The hydrogen core net also takes into account the connection with neighbouring states. The Federal Network Agency approved the application with minor adjustments. Only pipes that are necessary for the transport task of the hydrogen core network have been approved.

Way to the hydrogen core net

The transmission system operators (FNB) already carried out market surveys for hydrogen production and demand in the last two grid development plans in gas 2020 and 2022. Lines for the transition from natural gas to hydrogen were also identified. The transmission system operators then developed their own, still non-binding hydrogen modelling in the Gas grid development plan. This also included the first hydrogen cluster in Germany.

The construction and commissioning of the network required more commitment on the producer and demand side as well as the construction of pipelines. For this reason, the German government decided in the spring of 2023 to set up a hydrogen core net. The aim should be to combine the main hydrogen production, import and consumption points throughout Germany.

In parallel to the legislative process for the legal basis, the gas transmission system operators published their planning status in July 2023. This was consulted jointly by the FNB and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. In this context, the criteria for defining the scenario for the hydrogen core network were also published. In addition, for example, operators of gas distribution candles were able to introduce possible line structures.

In November 2023, the draft application for the hydrogen core net was submitted to the Federal Network Agency by the FNB, which was consulted and examined by the Federal Network Agency. The FNB used the results of the consultation and preliminary examination to revise the application. In a few regions, individual lines were added and isolated lines were removed. The application was submitted to the Federal Network Agency on 22.07.2024 on time by the transmission system operators.

Integrated grid development planning gas and hydrogen

The infrastructure is further developed within the framework of the regularly recurring grid development planning gas and hydrogen. In the simultaneous consultation of the scenario frameworks of gas/hydrogen and electricity, possible developments in a common context could be considered. After the scenario framework gas/hydrogen is confirmed by the Federal Network Agency, the transmission system operators and future hydrogen transport operators are adapting the hydrogen network to future challenges.

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