Feasibility study on hydrogen infrastructure for northern and central Hesse presented – Germany
In order to promote the energy transition and ensure the future viability of the economy, the state of Hesse is supporting efforts to build a regional hydrogen infrastructure in northern and central Hesse.
Hesse is to be connected to the supra-regional transport routes via the planned hydrogen pipelines of the “H2ercules” and “Flow” projects as well as via the “Werne-Eisenach pipeline”. In order to distribute the hydrogen further across the region, additional distribution networks are required. What such a network could look like for the northern and central Hesse region is the subject of a study that was developed together with gas network operators.
Economics and Energy Minister Kaweh Mansoori, stressing that a seamless supply can only be achieved through joint action by all actors, explained :
This study shows how the hydrogen supply in northern and central Hesse can be ensured via a distribution network.
“Hydrogen is an important building block of the energy transition and a key to the future viability of our economy,”
Mansoori, said :
I welcome the commitment to a Hessian hydrogen economy and thank the network operators involved for their participation in the feasibility study,
pipeline from the Lahn Valley to Kassel
Based on expected needs, regional production potential, possible import volumes and taking into account the existing gas network infrastructure, the study outlines a pipeline from the Lahn valley to the Kassel area, supplemented by local branch lines to supply large commercial consumers. The costs for this approximately 280 km long regional hydrogen backbone are estimated at 245 to 300 million euros.
The route includes both new construction sections and repurposed gas pipelines. A hydrogen supply entirely via the existing gas network is not possible at the moment, as customers must continue to be supplied with natural gas via the current networks.
A comparable study for the Rhine-Main region was already published in 2023.
energy supplier involved
The feasibility study on the “construction of a regional hydrogen backbone in northern and central Hesse” was prepared jointly by the State Hydrogen Office of the LEA LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen and Ernst & Young Real Estate GmbH on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs. 15 gas distribution network operators from northern and central Hesse and four gas transmission network operators were involved.
background
Following the adoption of the relevant legal regulations by the Federal Government, the Federal Network Agency approved the application of the German transmission system operators to set up a hydrogen core network with amendments on October 22, 2024. This network is intended to create a supra-regional transport infrastructure for hydrogen in order to reach currently known large consumption and production regions for hydrogen in Germany and thus connect central locations such as large industrial centers, storage facilities, power plants and import corridors.
This study is the first concrete proposal to connect central and northern Hesse to the upcoming nationwide hydrogen core network. The results of the study will enable regional distribution network operators to show potential customers from industry and commerce a perspective for a secure future supply of pipeline-based hydrogen. The study results will be presented and discussed with regional stakeholders and other interested parties in the coming weeks. The LEA LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen is preparing a series of events through the State Office for Hydrogen.
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Feasibility study on hydrogen infrastructure for northern and central Hesse presented – Germany, source
