Decline in natural gas transport makes hydrogen transport possible

In the Netherlands, less natural gas will be transported in the coming years. On the one hand, this is due to the reduction of natural gas extraction in Groningen, on the other hand, because the Netherlands is making increasingly efficient use of its energy sources and sustainability via other energy carriers such as green gas and electrification. Now that less natural gas is being transported, part of the natural gas network is also being freed up for the transport of hydrogen.

Hydrogen can be safely transported through a gas pipeline

The safety risks of transporting hydrogen through a gas pipeline are comparable to those of natural gas. When transporting hydrogen, the effect of hydrogen on the pipeline and the increased risk of ignition when making a pipeline gas-free during changes to the pipeline are taken into account.

Hydrogen and embrittlement

Hydrogen atoms can cause existing crack-like defects in welded joints to grow faster under pressure variations than with natural gas. This is a form of hydrogen embrittlement. The chance of such defects is very small. This is because the pipelines have been thoroughly examined both in the factory and in the field, under the supervision of an independent inspector. For safety reasons, Gasunie also monitors the pressure differences to be able to test that they cannot lead to a leak.

Ventilation prevents hydrogen build-up

Hydrogen molecules are lighter than methane molecules (methane is the main component of natural gas), which makes it rise faster. This is a favourable property in the event of leaks. The chance of a flammable or explosive mixture is smaller than with natural gas. However, the ignition energy is much lower with a flammable hydrogen-air mixture.
Ventilation is important because hydrogen, like natural gas, can accumulate in enclosed spaces. This can lead to fire or explosions. Naturally, Gasunie ensures that leaks with hydrogen occur as little as possible, just like with natural gas. For example, by not blowing off hydrogen but burning it, which only releases water.

Preventing leaks is better for the climate

Hydrogen itself has no direct effect on global warming because the hydrogen molecule cannot absorb infrared radiation. The methane molecule can absorb infrared radiation, which is why it is called a greenhouse gas. In theory, hydrogen can slow down the breakdown of methane in the atmosphere, which means that the methane stays in the atmosphere longer and retains the heat for longer. Of course, we want to prevent that effect. In order to keep hydrogen emissions as low as possible, Gasunie takes this into account in the design and maintenance of the hydrogen network.

The government sets safety standards

The safety standards for the hydrogen infrastructure are determined by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. Their goal is to make the hydrogen infrastructure just as safe as the existing natural gas network. So that the transport of hydrogen through gas pipelines is problem-free, safe and reliable. Gasunie is monitored for this by the Inspectorate of the Environment and Transport (ILT).

Gasunie has many years of experience with hydrogen transport in Zeeland

Since 2018, Gasunie has been transporting hydrogen safely and reliably through a largely reused natural gas pipeline . This hydrogen pipeline is located in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and transports hydrogen between the chemical companies Dow Chemical and Yara. This project shows that the transport of hydrogen through natural gas pipelines is safe and reliable.

Construction of a national hydrogen network

Gasunie is investing heavily in the realization of the national hydrogen network in the Netherlands . The government wants the Netherlands to develop a hydrogen economy and has commissioned Gasunie to build the national hydrogen network. After all, without transport options, the hydrogen economy in the Netherlands will not get going.

The investments will enable the necessary steps to be taken to enable the realisation of the main transport network for hydrogen:

the natural gas pipelines to be used are inspected, cleaned, and disconnected from the natural gas network;
valve stations are removed;
producers and industries are connected;
connections are made with locations for storage, import, export and hydrogen network at sea.

With the help of these investments, a hydrogen network of around 1,200 kilometres will be created in the Netherlands in the coming years. The largest part of this will consist of reused natural gas pipelines.

Transport of hydrogen can be safe and reliable through reused and new gas pipelines. Gasunie has years of experience with this and is now building the hydrogen network in the Netherlands.

California: FCEV Sales, FCEB, & Hydrogen Station Data as of April 1, 2020