Hydrogen Central

Hynetwork – Pipelines for Hydrogen Network Rotterdam Made and Delivered

pipelines hydrogen rotterdam

Hynetwork – Pipelines for hydrogen network Rotterdam made and delivered.

When you work on the energy transition, you also do that work as sustainably as possible. Technical project leader Ronald Pieters of Hynetwork Services had that thought when the purchase of the pipes for the Rotterdam hydrogen network started. 

The purchasing process was started a year ago, “because the pipes are not on the shelf,” says Ronald. Now they are ready for the next step in the realization of the hydrogen network in Rotterdam; the predisposition. We spoke to Ronald about the purchase and delivery of the hydrogen tubes.

Ronald Pieters of Hynetwork Services said.

A year ago we started purchasing more than 30 kilometers of pipe material and valves for the Rotterdam hydrogen pipeline. 

Hynetwork Services purchased the tubes under its framework contracts. “The tubes are not immediately available and the steel prices are unpredictable. So by purchasing so far in advance, we ensure peace in the project.”

“The existing framework contracts in themselves are not super sustainable,” says Ronald. “But they do offer room for more ambitions. In response, the German parties came up with proposals for the most sustainable production of steel under the framework contracts. We ourselves also set the requirement that the transport of the pipes must also be as sustainable as possible. That is why producer Mannesmann came up with the proposal to bring the tubes to the Netherlands by train. We knew that Deutsche Bahn runs on sustainable electricity within Germany. Moreover, it was not more expensive.” 

For example, the choice to transport the tubes by train from the German Salzgitter to Moerdijk turned out to be an obvious choice. This means that both the production and the transport of the hydrogen tubes have been realized as environmentally friendly as possible. “With this approach, there is a first more sustainable blueprint for the further realization of the hydrogen network.”

Safety is a constant priority

Manufacturer Mannesmann has a rich history when it comes to the production of natural gas pipes. And Gasunie, parent company of Hynetwork Services, has that experience when it comes to the construction of natural gas infrastructure. But now it concerns the transport of a more volatile gas: hydrogen. 

What other requirements does hydrogen place on the tubes? “The bare pipe is the same,” says Ronald. “The difference is in the connections and in the moving parts. They must have a greater leak-tightness to prevent leakage of hydrogen.” 

The pipes have been tested at the manufacturer and inspected on site. Strict rules apply to such pipes to guarantee safety. “When the pipes are in use, they will be continuously monitored through various safety processes and inspections,” explains Ronald.

The next step is the construction of the hydrogen pipeline in the port of Rotterdam. That should start in mid-2023 and the permit process is now underway. Ronald emphasizes that they remain alert to a high level of quality within the project:

“Executing such a project is largely ‘business as usual’ for us, but we are also aware that not everything is exactly the same as a natural gas project.”

The tubes are there. Ronald cheerfully concludes: “Now contract a contractor.”

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Pipelines for hydrogen network Rotterdam made and delivered, November 25, 2022

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