Reports & Analysis

Ready4H2 joined DVGW to launch two brochures on the role of hydrogen and gas infrastructure in reducing the CO2 footprint from energy:

• Hydrogen reduces the CO2 footprint - in many ways: outlines the different ways in which hydrogen can be produced and their different CO2 footprint reactions. The key message is that hydrogen can be produced in a climate-friendly manner, especially and green hydrogen that is virtually climate neutral.
• Largely H2-ready now: grids, storage facilities, components: outlines the history of gas grids in Germany having been transformed several times in the past, to accommodate different gas qualities and how the distribution grid is largely hydrogen-ready. Hydrogen ready means being able to swap from natural gas to hydrogen without operational restrictions.

The Ready4H2 Alliance’s third report which presents a roadmap towards fully decarbonized gas distribution grids across Europe. By utilizing the gas distributions companies existing organizations and infrastructure it is possible to facilitate a hydrogen market development, convert the networks to hydrogen distribution and make sure local producers and consumers of hydrogen are connected. 

Key insights from the report:

• Local gas distribution network can convert their networks to hydrogen and offer access to a European market for hydrogen producers and consumers.
• Hydrogen networks can deliver pilot projects in the local communities which can develop into full hydrogen infrastructure systems 
• A fit for purpose policy and regulatory framework will be needed to enable local gas distribution networks to transition to hydrogen and help achieve REPowerEU goals
• European policy can enable the transformation of local gas distribution networks and create a big hydrogen market across our continent, with local hydrogen distribution networks providing the essential connections between producers and consumers. This will have major benefits in a large-scale hydrogen economy, including:
  • Reducing CO2 emissions by over 500 million tonnes a year.
  • Creating almost 1 million European jobs.
  • Reducing imports of fossil gas and oil substantially and improving security of supply.
  • Supporting European manufacturing to decarbonize and thereby remain in Europe. 

Key insights from the report:

• Gas infrastructure provides the means to cope with rapidly growing shares of variable wind and solar power
• As 99% of industrial and commercial gas end-users are connected to local gas networks, we are crucial to bring the European hydrogen backbone to life and deliver large volumes of hydrogen to millions of customers
• Analysis shows that in a decarbonisation scenario including significant volumes of hydrogen and green methane, investment in the combined power and gas infrastructure is estimated to save 41 bn EUR/year compared to a power dominated scenario
   

Key insights from the report:

• European local gas networks deliver cost-effective and safe energy to consumers.
• Hydrogen is key to net zero, and local networks are crucial to accelerate deployment.
•  Over 1 million km of distribution pipelines are ready for hydrogen.
•  Countries are starting to provide support, but it needs to be accelerated.