Transport and storage of Hydrogen

Goal & Activities

So far, transport and storage of hydrogen are limited because almost all hydrogen is taken up directly as an energy carrier and feedstock in industry. With the scaling up of hydrogen production for deployment in the energy system, it is necessary to examine whether and to what extent the existing intensive transmission and distribution network for natural gas – that is present in our country and connects us to surrounding countries – can be used in a safe and acceptable manner for the transport of hydrogen. The question also arises as to whether the gas grid requires modification or expansion for the purpose of hydrogen transportation, for example due to installation of large-scale electrolysis capacity. Safety is the key requirement here, not only of the transportation system but also of the various applications and storage of hydrogen. Therefore, research is needed into the large-scale storage of hydrogen in, for example, tanks, cylinders or salt caverns and other underground storage capacity.

Scope.
This work package focuses on managing:

• Grid requirements for gas quality and pressure issues for hydrogen transportation,
• Safety issues related to the entire hydrogen value chain and organization Safety issues with them
• Scaling up the introduction of hydrogen from local to national energy systems
• Design issues to an international hydrogen network including the role of the North Sea energy
• Offshore hydrogen production, conversion, transportation and storage
• Multidisciplinary aspects of large-scale hydrogen storage in salt caverns and empty gas fields, onshore and offshore

Activities include:

• Knowledge development in the field of transport and storage infrastructure.
• Development of safety standards incl. setting up a national safety center H2 transport and storage.
• Development roadmap for transition in NW Europe.
  Analysis and optimization offshore hydrogen production, conversion, transport and storage.

More information on the website of NWO