On Monday (July 22), the Transmission System Operators (TSOs) submitted the final application for the nationwide hydrogen core network to the Federal Network Agency. After approval, the core network is intended to gradually connect consumption and production centers as well as storage and import points for hydrogen by 2032. Initial conversions could take place as early as next year.
The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) now has two months for review and approval. This includes a consultation on the network plan, which is set to run until August 6, 2024. After the BNetzA approves the application, the construction of the core network will begin. The first pipelines are to be converted to hydrogen as early as next year. The FNB e.V. presented an initial planning status about a year ago.
The association's managing director, Barbara Fischer, explained in the press release that the core network solves the chicken-and-egg problem of hydrogen and thus lays the foundation for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. "The TSOs are thus making an advance contribution," Fischer explained. "The core network is the offer to the market, it comes for the market and develops with it."
Next step: distribution network level
Fischer also emphasized that the planned H2 infrastructure is based on a consumption scenario that the TSOs developed together with policymakers. Now it is important to include the gas distribution system operators (DSOs):
"The next step is to further develop the infrastructure to bring hydrogen to the wider area. The TSOs and future hydrogen transport network operators are already working on this in close coordination with the distribution system operators as part of the integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen."
FNB Gas Chairman Thomas Gößmann emphasized that the hydrogen ramp-up is now a "joint task of all market participants": "The TSOs unanimously support the concept of the core network. Together, we are applying for the complete core network and will gradually build and operate it. [...] It gives market participants the necessary security for investments in the hydrogen economy and the transformation to climate neutrality."
