On November 15, 2023, the Federal Network Agency launched the public consultation on the draft application for the hydrogen core network submitted by the transmission system operators. The draft is extremely positive for the development of the hydrogen infrastructure in eastern Germany: The major hydrogen pipeline projects in eastern Germany are firmly anchored in the draft application.
In addition to the supra-regional transport pipelines, a number of other important pipelines have been mapped, including those connecting northern Saxony, the southern Leipzig area, the Berlin region and Lusatia, and enabling a further connection to the H2 network planned in Poland. "The development of an efficient infrastructure is crucial for the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy in eastern Germany. The draft application for the core network that has now been submitted covers the main transport lines in eastern Germany - including the IPCEI projects doing hydrogen and Green Octopus Central Germany", says Ralph Bahke, ONTRAS Managing Director Steering and Development.
Great potential for a hydrogen infrastructure in eastern Germany
The aim of the hydrogen core network is to quickly and cost-effectively develop a hydrogen infrastructure that connects production sites and potential import points with consumption centers and storage facilities. There is enormous potential here in eastern Germany, which is home to a large number of energy-intensive and non-electrifiable industries that will require hydrogen in the future. With import points on the Baltic Sea, potential border crossing points on the Polish border and significant expansion and area capacities for the generation of green electricity, which can also be converted into green hydrogen by electrolysis close to where it is generated, the need for a hydrogen transport infrastructure is also clear on the import and generation side.
Core grid modeling: conversion and new construction of pipelines
With the aim of overall economically optimized planning, the hydrogen core network will largely consist of converted pipelines previously used for natural gas transport. Further new pipelines will be built. ONTRAS is also planning to realize a significant part of the ONTRAS H2 starter network by converting existing natural gas pipelines, provided that this is profitable. As part of the core network modeling, the transmission system operators demonstrate that the remaining transmission network can continue to guarantee the transport capacities specified in the Gas Network Development Plan at the time of the pipeline conversions. Corresponding supplementary expansion measures for the natural gas network are an integral part of the draft core network.
The draft application for the hydrogen core network and information on the consultation are published on the Federal Network Agency's website at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/wasserstoff-kernnetz.
