Netze BW draws a positive balance at the end of its „Hydrogen Island“ network laboratory in Öhringen on 23 April. The distribution grid operator had fed up to 30 % hydrogen into the natural gas grid in real grid operation.
The findings showed that it is fundamentally possible to transport climate-friendly hydrogen via the Baden-Württemberg distribution network for natural gas. This means that the natural gas grid plays a key role in the decarbonisation of the energy sector. Hydrogen could also be part of the solution for municipal heating planning.
In the „Hydrogen Island“ project, a localised supply area, which included a property used by Netze BW and 26 neighbouring households, was separated from the existing natural gas network and supplied independently by adding H2 to the approximately 500 m long distribution network. The quantity was gradually increased to an eventual 30 % H2 share. Netze BW worked closely with the local authority, end appliance manufacturers, chimney sweeps, associations and the scientific community to realise the project.
Energy transition: including natural gas grids in the transformation
In order to make the electricity and gas distribution network fit for the future, Netze BW has already developed technical and digital solution concepts in the past together with local authorities and partners from industry, science and start-ups. Netze BW trialled these under the name „NETZlabore“ in various pilot regions, including Öhringen.
„With the ‚Hydrogen Island Öhringen‘ project, we have shown that the existing natural gas infrastructure can play a key role in the transformation to decarbonise the heating sector. The
30 % admixture of hydrogen worked without any problems. No complex adjustments to the existing infrastructure were necessary – neither for Netze BW with regard to the gas network nor for the end consumers with regard to their gas boilers and cookers“, emphasises Dr Martin Konermann, Managing Director of Technology at Netze BW GmbH.
Hydrogen: the third pillar of the heating transition
The majority of Netze BW's pipelines are even suitable for transporting 100 % hydrogen. However, a prerequisite for the use of hydrogen is the connection of Baden-Württemberg to the national hydrogen core network. Which regions will be supplied with hydrogen from there depends „largely on the demand from industrial customers who need hydrogen for their production“.
„Renewable hydrogen will be part of municipal heating planning“, estimates Konermann. According to the Netze BW Managing Director, the future of heat supply will consist of three pillars: „Heat pumps, heating networks and hydrogen as a supplement.“
Netze BW currently assumes that the gradual H2 transformation in Baden-Württemberg will begin in 2032 and that hydrogen will be transported in the existing gas grids from 2040.
