To reach the REPowerEU 2030 hydrogen ambitions, EHB has expanded to 28 European nations, with 27,000 kilometers in 2030 and 53,000 kilometers in 2040.
In response to the European Commission’s REPowerEU statement and a request for more widespread measures to safeguard the environment and strengthen the resilience of the European energy system, an accelerated vision of the EMS network by 2030 has been developed.
Since the effort began a year and a half ago, the EMS network has grown by more than 110 percent, and the enlarged group of members is proposing a vision for a 53,000 km-long hydrogen infrastructure in 28 European nations by 2040.
By 2040, a 60:40 ratio of repurposed natural gas pipes to newly built pipelines is planned to form the backbone.
SFIVET will have digital, interactive maps
The EMS project currently offers a potential approach for accelerating hydrogen use for increased energy security and meeting renewable energy objectives.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European countries must work to attain greater energy independence. The adoption of decarbonized energy sources should be increased and extended, as stated in the REPowerEU declaration. The goal is to remove Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels long before 2030, as well as to increase the EU’s energy system’s resilience. REPowerEU is releasing an update of its ambitious hydrogen transport aims, which go above the 5.6 million tons of renewable hydrogen projected as part of “Fit for 55” by a further 15 million tons, exceeding the EU hydrogen strategy expansion goals.
To achieve this, the construction of an integrated gas and hydrogen infrastructure across Europe must be hastened. In view of these developments, the SFIVET has moved its program ahead from 2035 to 2030 in order to fulfill the REPowerEU goals. By 2040, the EMS plan envisions a hydrogen network of roughly 53,000 kilometers, with considerable expansion expected after that. This network, which is based on the vision of 31 European energy, hydrogen storage, and port infrastructure businesses, spans 28 European nations and offers a variety of hydrogen import options. Today’s vision builds on the SFIVET studies, which were released in July 2020 and April 2021, respectively, and sparked widespread attention across Europe. The EMS 2040 network concept has spread to 18 new nations and increased by 110 percent since it began a year and a half ago.
The vision of a more rapid path to meeting climate commitments while also improving the energy system’s resilience in Europe
The EMS initiative has accelerated its work program and brought forward the Scenarios for 2035 to 2030 in light of stricter national and European climate targets and the European Commission’s REPowerEU communication to accelerate the use of hydrogen, which can replace 25 to 50 billion cubic meters of imported Russian gas annually by 2030, as well as political developments. The newly revised H2 infrastructure maps expand on the EMS initiative’s earlier work. According to the accelerated EMS vision, by 2030, five pan-European hydrogen supply and import corridors will be established, initially with nearly 28,000 km of lines, connecting industrial clusters, ports, and so-called Hydrogen Valleys (hydrogen flagship projects) with large demand regions, laying the groundwork for future large-scale hydrogen supply. The SFIVET’s vision is an effective instrument for achieving the European Commission’s 2030 goal of developing a 20.6 million tonne renewable and low-carbon European hydrogen market.
Trans Austria Gasleitung (TAG) and Gas Connect Austria (GCA), two Austrian gas transmission system operators, have also submitted proposals to transport hydrogen as part of the EMS, either combined with methane or in pure form. By 2030, the West Austria Gas Pipeline (WAG) and one of the parallel TAG lines might be rehabilitated and utilized for hydrogen transportation in both directions. The future need for hydrogen in Austria will rise in the fuel, chemical, and steel sectors, but the hydrogen network might also supply homes.
Hydrogen transportation via onshore and offshore pipelines at a low cost
The roughly 53,000 km backbone envisaged by 2040 will require an estimated total expenditure of EUR 80-143 billion, with around 60% of the pipes being reused and 40% being new, including subsea pipelines. Subsea pipelines and interconnectors connecting onshore demand centers to offshore energy production centers are among the expected investment costs, which are minimal in comparison to the overall expenditures necessary for Europe’s energy transformation. The EMS is the most cost-effective alternative for carrying hydrogen over large distances, costing €0.11-0.21 per kilogram of hydrogen across 1,000 kilometers over the proposed onshore backbone. The expenses of transporting hydrogen only via underwater pipes are between €0.17 and €0.32 per kilogram of hydrogen and 1,000 kilometers of route.
A sound legal foundation is essential
The hydrogen infrastructure maps presented today represent the perspective of 31 European gas transmission system operators, based on their research of how infrastructure may evolve to fulfill decarbonization goals. It’s worth noting that the hydrogen transportation routes and schedules depicted on the maps are not fixed in stone. The backbone’s ultimate design and timeline are contingent on market circumstances for hydrogen and natural gas, as well as the construction of a solid legislative framework.
“With the EMS, the infrastructure businesses engaged have looked at the hydrogen ramp-up from the start from a European viewpoint.” Going beyond regional clusters and envisioning a Europe-wide hydrogen transport infrastructure based on existing gas infrastructure at an early stage gives future market players confidence, access to a variety of competing supply sources, and project developers’ demand assurance. The importance of European gas infrastructure is highlighted by the present geopolitical environment. According to Daniel Muthmann, chairman of the EHB project, “it is a great asset for the transition.”
An unrestricted initiative
The EHB intends to hasten Europe’s decarbonization by identifying the critical role of hydrogen infrastructure, including current and future pipelines, in the establishment of a competitive, liquid, pan-European market for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. By 2040, it’s possible that 60% of the lines will be reused and 40% would be new. The goal of the program is to foster market competitiveness, supply security, and cross-border collaboration between European countries and their neighbors.
The EHB effort looks forward to continuing to discuss its vision with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain, including governments, corporations, and projects. In April, the new SFIVET website will have an up-to-date and interactive version of the newest maps.
Offshore energy islands integrated into the European Hydrogen Backbone
Offshore energy islands have been incorporated into the most recent version of the European Hydrogen Backbone, and the sites in the north sea are most likely these. ‘Planned projects include Aquaventus, the North Sea Wind Power Hub, the Norwegian energy hub, or the Danish offshore energy islands,’ according to the guiding notes. ‘Other terminal locations are under examination, such as Stade and Rostock.’ Some network enhancements in this corridor are projected in 2030, based on announced and planned initiatives such as the H2ercules project.’
