HyWay 27 kick-off: The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Gasunie and TenneT look into using national gas grid to develop hydrogen infrastructure
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy are joining Gasunie and TenneT to run a study of the conditions under which part of the existing gas grid can be used to transport hydrogen. Known as HyWay 27, this study is intended to provide the required information so that a decision on the realisation of infrastructure for the transport and storage of hydrogen can be made in good time. The final report is due to be completed in late 2020.
The Dutch government envisages a key role for carbon-free hydrogen in the transition towards a sustainable energy system. Scaling-up hydrogen will not only help to achieve climate goals, it will also create opportunities for economic growth, as explained in the long-term growth strategy for the Netherlands. Thanks to its favourable location, international ports and the existing gas grids and storage capacity, the Netherlands will be able to fulfil the role of energy hub in the future too.
HyWay 27
The vision on hydrogen recently published by the government set out an ambitious policy agenda for developing the sustainable hydrogen supply chain. With cost-efficiency in mind, a key assumption is that the existing natural gas infrastructure will be reused (in phases) for the transport of hydrogen where possible. With the HyWay 27 study, network operators Gasunie and TenneT, together with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, are mapping out how and under which conditions the existing gas grid can be used to transport hydrogen in the future.
European hydrogen market
The hydrogen market is a highly international market, which is why it is important to have a clear picture of supply and demand in the north-western European hydrogen market. The Port of Rotterdam Authority will identify the potential import supply (from areas overseas), while the option of connecting the main hydrogen infrastructure (the ‘hydrogen backbone’) to cross-border pipelines in neighbouring countries like Germany and Belgium will also be looked into. Various stakeholders will be involved in the study so as to verify findings. The final report is due to be completed in late 2020.
