The 20th pipeline technology conference (PTC) was held last week in Berlin. The conference is steadily becoming more global and growing year after year, as well as expanding its coverage to include hydrogen and distribution pipelines. The technical programme included panel discussions on converting gas distribution grids to hydrogen, modelling such conversions, and the technical and safety considerations that must be undertaken prior to conversion.
One of the Operator Roundtables focused on repurposing pipelines to H2 and was co-chaired by Barbara Jinks, Director of Ready4H2 and Simon Joyce, Head of Innovation - Strategy and Regulation with SGN. A plenary session on global developments included a presentation by DVGW CEO Gerald Linke, that included the recent results of Ready4H2’s Geospatial mapping study and highlighted the importance of both distribution and transmission gas grids in transporting hydrogen throughout Europe, especially to Germany that has the greatest demand for hydrogen in all energy sectors.
Barbara is also on the Advisory committee of PTC, flying the flag for the reuse of gas infrastructure for hydrogen.
