On April 29, 2019, GRTgaz and CATALYSE signed their first commercial contract to maximize the injection of hydrogen into the pipelines of the existing gas transmission network by developing a protective coating for the effects of hydrogen.Â
This signature took place in the heart of the collaborative innovation space ”  THE CAMP” , in Aix-en-Provence, in the presence of Anne CLAUDIUS-PETIT, Regional Advisor, Vice-President of the Commission Green Growth, Energy Transition , Energy and Waste , representative of Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.
This contract follows a call for projects launched by GRTgaz in 2018, through its OPEN INNOVATION initiative, to maximize the injection of hydrogen into its network and preserve the durability of its existing steel pipelines. The CATALYSE company, located in La Ciotat, winner of this call for projects, has distinguished itself by offering GRTgaz an innovative pipe coating solution and the use of a robotic device for its application on curved surfaces. The contract signed with Catalyse, worth around € 80,000, aims to limit the impact of hydrogen, which is known to cause an accelerated aging of the metal structure of the network pipes.
Concretely, the work will initially consist in carrying out a feasibility study, the development of a permeability test and the provision of a coating. The results of these first phases could eventually be used to deploy the solution developed by CATALYSE on the GRTgaz network and to interest other gas carriers in Europe and around the world, also involved in hydrogen injection.
Committed to the implementation of the energy transition, GRTgaz researches and develops innovative solutions to lower hydrogen costs in the existing natural gas transmission network, thus facilitating the emergence of the French hydrogen energy sector. , with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of gas consumed in France.
GRTgaz in the South region
GRTgaz is one of the European leaders in the transport of natural gas and a world expert in gas transmission networks and systems. GRTgaz is involved in the development of the hydrogen energy sector in France and in Europe and is chairman of the gas networks group within the European association Hydrogen Europe . In the region, the GRTgaz Group employs 250 people, operates 1,500 kilometers of network and operates 2 LNG terminals through its subsidiary Elengy. In 2018, GRTgaz invested 50 million euros to develop and modernize the gas transmission network. For the benefit of the regional economy, GRTgaz has also committed 20 million euros in orders from local companies.
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