Infrastructure

Gascade has converted around 400 kilometres of existing natural gas pipelines to hydrogen. The new north-south axis is part of the project "Flow – making hydrogen happen" and forms a central section of Germany's hydrogen core network.

In Hamburg-Moorburg, the construction of a 100 MW electrolyser has begun. The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub project is expected to deliver around 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from 2027. The operators are Luxcara and Hamburger Energiewerke.

Daimler Truck, HHLA and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are developing a green liquid hydrogen supply chain via the Port of Hamburg to enable imports and ensure reliable distribution across Europe.

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.

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.

Transport iron to use hydrogen: The new H₂ storage technology of Ambartec AG conveys iron granulates and obtains the hydrogen on site through oxidation. In mid-February 2025, Ambartec, together with Purem by Eberspächer, signed a cooperation agreement (MOU) to prepare a serial production of this iron-nugget hydrogen storage and for its transport in standard 20-foot containers.