European Hydrogen backbone a boost for energy security
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB), also known as the European Hydrogen (H2) Highway, is a masterplan for a continent-wide network of hydrogen infrastructure being built by a group of 31 energy operators.
The project is designed to connect regions through a series of hydrogen-dedicated land and sea terminals, storage facilities, pipelines and production facilities throughout the continent. This infrastructure network will ensure access to hydrogen for every EU member state and provide the groundwork from which to accelerate the hydrogen market with key exporters having direct access to areas of need. In line with the tenets of the recent REPowerEU legislation, the EHB will promote system resilience, energy independence and security of supply in Europe.
The plan is split into two milestones, EHB 2030 and EHB 2040, though timelines may shift depending on various factors. However, by 2030, we should expect to have such projects as a subsea pipeline connecting Catalonia and Tuscany, and another between Groningen and Norway, as well as the repurposing of segments of gas pipelines stretching from Bucharest to Edinburgh. By 2040, Dublin should be connected to Great Britain and nearly every capital city in mainland Europe will be part of the network through a combination of repurposed and new infrastructure.
Countries likes Ireland will benefit greatly from being connected to its neighbour, with Scotland considered a very attractive hydrogen destination and Ireland having great potential for future hydrogen production. While slated for 2040, it could become a reality even sooner if the political wheels are able to turn. Similarly, the subsea pipelines connecting Norway – a top tier exporter – with mainland Europe will create optimal conditions for all countries involved.
All in all, the EHB will make up 53,000km – 60% of which will be repurposed and the remaining 40% newly built pipelines – at an investment cost of somewhere between €80bn and €143bn.
The EHB is based on national analyses of availability of existing natural gas infrastructure, future natural gas market developments, and future hydrogen market developments under an accelerated and ambitious climate scenario, its official website reads. It will be central to achieving the goals set out in REPowerEU, the legislation devised in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine focused on the rapid reduction of Russian fossil fuel dependence in Europe by accelerating the clean energy transition in the Union.
Hydrogen is a key component of the plan due to its suitability as an energy source in many fossil fuel-dependent sectors, and REPowerEU in fact mentions the hydrogen backbone by name. It builds on the Fit for 55 package, which is a set of proposals to update relevant EU legislation in an effort to achieve a 55% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. War in Ukraine has focused minds in Brussels on achieving these targets in a timely, inclusive way.
The EHB plan allows for the highest levels of efficiency and cost effectiveness for transporting hydrogen. Pipelines are amongst the cheapest and most efficient way to carry the fuel. For the transmission system operators (TSOs), there is an incentive to retrofit and repurpose their gas pipelines for this new endeavour, which is to prolong the value of their infrastructure and for the TSOs to remain as key players in the new energy landscape.
Thus, the EHB provides all European energy stakeholders with opportunity borne out of necessity. The need to accelerate the transition has created an impetus within the EU, with TSOs, infrastructure developers and policy makers united in their efforts to achieve a proper energy union. One of the biggest challenges in the energy transition is to ensure security of supply and retain system resilience throughout, and these challenges becomes greater when timelines are brought significantly forward, as REPowerEU does. But a solid and far-reaching EHB will do much to meet these important goals, not to mention promote further European unity.
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis
CEO of Hydrogen Europe
- Pipelines are the cheapest way to transport H2. So it makes absolutely sense to consider this option.
- Pipelines allow to transport RES much more efficiently, we also avoid awkward licensing processes for power infra.
- TSOs have an interest to retrofit and repurpose their pipelines as it prolongs the value of their infra.
The European Hydrogen Backbone creates an opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation of the energy sector by efficiently integrating substantial volumes of additional renewable and low-carbon energy into the system and by connecting regions with abundant supply potential with centres of demand. Moreover, the EHB has the potential to revitalise Europe’s industrial economy whilst ensuring energy system resilience, increased energy independence, and security of supply across Europe.
Such a vision can be achieved in a cost-effective manner, but it requires close collaboration between EU Member States and neighbouring countries and a stable, supportive, and adaptive regulatory framework.
The proposed infrastructure pathway up to 2040 shows the vision of 28 European network operators, based on national analyses of availability of existing natural gas infrastructure, future natural gas market developments, and future hydrogen market developments under an accelerated and ambitious climate scenario.
Nonetheless, it is important to note that the eventual infrastructure solution will be highly dependent on future supply and demand dynamics of the integrated energy system, including natural gas, hydrogen, electricity, and heat.
The real development of hydrogen supply and demand and the increasing integration of the energy system may lead to alternative or additional routes compared to the ones described in this paper, and the timeline of some of the 2030, 2035, and 2040 proposed routes may be shifted forward or backward in time.
Amber Grid, Bulgartransgaz, Conexus, CREOS, DESFA, Elering, Enagás, Energinet, Eustream, FGSZ, FlusSwiss, Fluxys Belgium, Gas Connect Austria, Gasgrid Finland, Gassco, Gasunie, GAZ-SYSTEM, Gas Networks Ireland, GRTgaz, National Grid, NET4GAS, Nordion Energi, OGE, ONTRAS, Plinacro, Plinovodi, REN, Snam, TAG, Teréga, and Transgaz.
What they mean with H2 Highway is the concept of the H2 backbone. So it’s about the infrastructure. What they definitely need is a general description of what it is (2/3 of the text, please find some basic info also here: https://ehb.eu) and the specific Irish angle.
Here are the bullets:
- Pipelines are the cheapest way to transport H2. So it makes absolutely sense to consider this option.
- Pipelines allow to transport RES much more efficiently, we also avoid awkward licensing processes for power infra.
- TSOs have an interest to retrofit and repurpose their pipelines as it prolongs the value of their infra.
- We will start from ports to be connected with special industrial clusters. This will be the first phase.
- Until 2050 we will have an coherent and all EU encompassing infra system.
Irish angle:
- Ireland has only a small pipeline system.
- It connects the island with the UK and especially with Scotland. This is good as Scotland is a very active H2 destination.
- Due to the real Ireland map the country could be one of the giants in H2 production. Hence exporting via pipes will be an important issue.
GenComm is delivering the tools that will enable communities to access hydrogen equity, enabling isolated communities to become sustainable and resilient, opening opportunities so all of Europe can fully realize the benefits of green hydrogen. In cohesion with other projects, we are constructing a European wide H2 highway collaborating and sharing research, results, and ensuring all can reap the benefits of a zero-carbon energy system.
- Empowering communities to implement hydrogen-based energy matrixes to sustainably satisfy their energetic demand specifically in meeting their public transport mobility needs powered by Green H2
- Stimulating the uptake of renewable hydrogen-based technologies by successfully running 3 demonstration facilities in Northern Ireland wind to H2, Germany solar to H2 and Scotland Bio to H2
- Establishing a strong group of energy stakeholders – the Community Hydrogen Forum (CH2F) devoted to, through the use of hydrogen, “sustainabilize” the energy matrix of the NWE region.
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative
The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative consists of a group of thirty-one energy infrastructure operators, united through a shared vision of a climate-neutral Europe enabled by a thriving renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market.
Mission
The EHB initiative aims to accelerate Europe’s decarbonisation journey by defining the critical role of hydrogen infrastructure – based on existing and new pipelines – in enabling the development of a competitive, liquid, pan-European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen market.
The initiative seeks to foster market competition, security of supply, security of demand, and cross-border collaboration between European countries and their neighbours.
Partners
Participating companies include Amber Grid, Bulgartransgaz, Conexus, CREOS, DESFA, Elering, Enagás, Energinet, Eustream, FGSZ, FlusSwiss, Fluxys Belgium, Gas Connect Austria, Gasgrid Finland, Gassco, Gasunie, GAZ-SYSTEM, Gas Networks Ireland, GRTgaz, National Grid, NET4GAS, Nordion Energi, OGE, ONTRAS, Plinacro, Plinovodi, REN, Snam, TAG, Teréga, and Transgaz.
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