The network operators Ferngas, Gascade, and TEN informed about progress in the conversion of the Thuringian natural gas network to hydrogen at their second joint conference in Erfurt. The basis is a fundamental agreement concluded in March 2024 for the transformation of the existing gas infrastructure.
The collaboration includes both long-distance pipelines (Ferngas, Gascade) and distribution networks (Ferngas, TEN). The goal is to retrofit existing pipelines for hydrogen and establish new network structures where necessary.
Initial network couplings and storage connection planned
A specific project is the planned coupling of two hydrogen core network projects by Ferngas and Gascade near Jena. Ferngas is already preparing the conversion of existing pipelines for this purpose. Further network coupling points are planned in northern Thuringia. In Marolterode, a planned hydrogen storage facility by the Thuringian Energy Storage Company and the North-West hydrogen hub by TEN are to be connected to the hydrogen core network through the TH2ECO project by Ferngas.
According to Gascade, around 200 kilometers of existing pipelines have already been filled with hydrogen. By the end of 2025, 400 kilometers are to be ready for hydrogen transport. “Hydrogen will be able to flow to Thuringia as early as 2028, and the planned transport route will be fully usable by 2029,” said Gascade Managing Director Ulrich Benterbusch.
Demand-oriented planning and political framework conditions required
The network operators emphasize that infrastructure planning must be oriented towards the needs of potential hydrogen customers. For this, early and reliable feedback from consumers and producers is necessary.
Thuringia's Energy Minister Tilo Kummer called for appropriate framework conditions for refinancing at the distribution network level at the conference: “After the refinancing of the hydrogen core network is regulated at the federal level, appropriate framework conditions are also needed for the development of a distribution network.”
Thuringia to benefit from supra-regional network
“The use of hydrogen, especially where electrification is difficult or uneconomical, is an important component for the success of decarbonization,” says TEN Managing Director Ulf Unger.
The network operators see Thuringia well positioned to benefit from the nationwide hydrogen infrastructure. The planned network couplings are intended to ensure that not only supra-regional transport routes are created, but also a regional supply of hydrogen becomes possible.
