Infrastructure

According to Fraunhofer ISE, Ireland can become a significant player in the hydrogen economy. In the HYreland project, researchers analyzed potentials and costs. For export to Germany, pipeline transport to Stade or Rotterdam would be the most cost-effective.

The Stadtwerke Stuttgart have begun constructing a hydrogen pipeline approximately four kilometres long along the Neckar. It is intended to transport green hydrogen from the planned Green Hydrogen Hub in the Stuttgart harbour to consumers in three city districts.

For the planned hydrogen pipeline Hybor, the scoping process has begun in the Federal States of Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia. The approximately 120-kilometre-long pipeline is part of Germany's hydrogen core network and, according to the operator Gascade, is expected to be completed by 2029.

The adhesive manufacturer Tesa is receiving funding of 950,000 euros from the City of Hamburg, Germany, to connect its plant in Hamburg to the Hamburg hydrogen industrial network (HH-WIN) and to convert production facilities to hydrogen. Supply is scheduled to start in 2027.

In the EU project SHIMMER, the German institute for materials research and testing BAM is working on a comprehensive knowledge database. There, important information on standards for safe materials and components as well as on the European gas infrastructure is to be made available. SHIMMER will be led by the Norwegian research organization SINTEF. The project brings together twelve European institutions, including national institutes and gas network operators from the countries Spain, Italy, Norway, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

In October 2024, the German Federal Network Agency approved the plans for the hydrogen core network. Hydrogen is expected to flow through some sections as early as 2025. Despite turbulent times, the network operators remain confident about the new infrastructure.

The module manufacturer Longi is entering the storage sector with its own all-in-one solution. The company aims to position itself as an integrated provider of solar, storage and hydrogen solutions. Longi’s newly presented strategy highlights its key priorities.

TÜV Nord highlights underground hydrogen storage as crucial for industrial energy security, urging policymakers to provide clear frameworks and investment incentives to ensure timely development.

Hydrogenious LOHC has received official approval to build and operate what it claims to be the world's largest commercial hydrogen storage facility using the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) benzyltoluene.