GET H2 sees using existing long-distance gas pipeline networks as key to setting up a nationwide hydrogen economy in Germany. By converting existing natural gas pipelines to carry hydrogen, the fuel could be transported over great distances within the whole of Germany and further afield. The GET H2 Nukleus Project is launching the first stage of this initiative. The focus on so-called “green” hydrogen, produced with electricity from renewable energy sources, is aimed at making a significant contribution to climate neutrality. In refineries and the chemical industry, for instance, it will replace the “grey” hydrogen currently used, the production of which causes considerable CO₂ emissions.

Innovation: “green” H₂ production for industrial consumers

Under the GET H2 Nukleus Project, the plan is to produce “green” hydrogen via the “Power-to-Gas” process using an electrolysis plant. For this purpose, an electrolyser with a capacity of over 100 megawatts is to be built at the site of the RWE gas power plant in Lingen. From 2023 onwards, the plant is intended to produce hydrogen using electricity generated by wind turbines. For the first time, a regulated pipeline is envisaged to transport the hydrogen, thereby laying the foundation for a nationwide H₂ infrastructure in Germany. The network from Lingen to the bp refinery in Gelsenkirchen will cover a distance of 130 kilometres in total.

Efficiency: extensive use of the existing infrastructure

As is the case with electricity and natural gas networks, access to this hydrogen network is intended to be available to all manufacturers, retailers or consumers on a non-discriminatory basis. This should allow for the rapid and reliable integration of further hydrogen projects at other sites, thus creating the basis for a hydrogen economy in Germany and also accelerating the development of hydrogen technologies into commercial business models across the entire value chain. Technical adjustments are needed to convert the long-distance network between Lingen and Gelsenkirchen from natural gas to hydrogen: for example, compressing pure hydrogen to the required pipeline pressure or exchanging fittings. Using existing pipelines means that no expensive construction work is needed so conversion offers a considerable cost advantage compared to constructing new pipelines. The plan could also be extended to store hydrogen on a large scale in the existing cavern storage facilities. This would allow a constant supply of hydrogen to consumers at times when power from renewable energy sources is unavailable for longer periods.

Impact: reduction in CO₂ emissions by using “green” hydrogen

Using wind or solar power to produce “green” hydrogen will make it possible to store renewable energy in large quantities for a long period of time. By means of the established pipeline, the gas will be transported directly to industrial consumers in NRW, for instance chemical parks and refineries. This “green” hydrogen produced in a climate-friendly way can also be used in sectors where electrification is not viable (buzzword “sector coupling”) and contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions there. “Green” hydrogen offers significant potential for reducing carbon emissions in many sectors of industry, both by using it directly as a feedstock and by using it as an energy carrier. The prerequisite for this is that the hydrogen is produced in a climate-friendly manner and the necessary high-capacity transport infrastructure is available to provide industrial consumers with a reliable supply of the commodity.