Networks

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.

There is extensive demand for hydrogen in both municipalities and industry. In this environment, plans for implementing these market requirements are now becoming more concrete. The recent decision to set up an H₂ core network (see p. 18) is seen as the initial spark for this. In view of the supply situation, however, it is clear that the focus must increasingly be on the distribution network, which was also made clear at the DVGW Congress.