INNOVATIVE PROJECTS PLATFORM
Hydrogen
Hydrogen can be produced by various process technologies. Firstly, hydrogen can be obtained from natural gas through a steam reforming process or a methane pyrolysis process. Secondly, hydrogen can also be produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis (power-to-gas). Thirdly, hydrogen can be produced via gasification process, by converting solid fuel (coal or woody biomass) to hydrogen. Fourthly, hydrogen can also by produced through anaerobic digestion, converting wet biomass to hydrogen. At present, steam methane reforming is the most common method of producing hydrogen.
Hydrogen can be utilised directly as fuel or, depending on the application, blended with natural gas.
Hydrogen production from RES-based electricity in power-to-gas facilities or from other fuels in combination with CCS contributes to the decarbonisation of the energy system.
Enagás S.A.
RenovaGas
RENOVAGAS is a research project whose first phase finished in 2017. It first aim was the development of a 15 kW demonstration plant for the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) from the electrolytic production of hydrogen with renewable energy sources (RES) and its combination directly with a biogas stream, that is, without separating CO2 from the methane, through a methanation process, so the synthetic natural gas obtained was fully renewable.
Contact: jrubio@enagas.es
Gas Connect Austria GmbH
Wind2hydrogen
The Wind2Hydrogen pilot facility in Auersthal, Lower Austria was in operation from January 2014 until the end of 2017. It converted power from wind turbines into transportable, storable hydrogen using a new, specially developed electrolysis process that responds very quickly to changing loads from a wind farm, and can economically produce high pressure of around 165 bar.
Contact: robert.paulnsteiner@gasconnect.at
Gasunie
Hydrogen pipeline
The hydrogen released from the Dow's factory is used as a feedstock for high-quality products of Yara through a existing Gasunie pipeline which has been prepared for hydrogen transport.
Enagás S.A.
SUN2HY (Sun to Hydrogen)
This project focuses on the development of a disruptive photoelectrochemical cell that will be used as a reactor for the direct transformation of solar into chemical energy. Innovative materials and new structures are used achieving a remarkable efficiency. This promising technological route allows the competitive industrial production of clean and storable fuels directly from sunlight and water. The project started in September of 2018 and will last for 2 years. The main partners leading the project are Repsol and Enagas.
Contact: msanchezd@enagas.es
National Grid Gas
Hydrogen in the NTS
National Grid are partnering with the Health & Safety Executive to undertake a technical evaluation of the capability of the UK’s National Transmission System (NTS) to transport hydrogen. This project will run up to Spring 2019 and will generate a deeper understanding of how introducing hydrogen will affect gas transmission assets physically; and of the standards required to facilitate hydrogen introduction. The project will also use the findings to evaluate potential UK sites which could demonstrate hydrogen introduction at scale, further advancing the UK’s green energy ambitions.
Contact: Lloyd.Mitchell@nationalgrid.com
Energinet
M/R-Helle
M/R Helle is a demonstration project to test and evaluate the consequences of hydrogen/natural gas mixtures in the gas infrastructure. Mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas will be circulated for two years. The purpose of the project is to find the constraints and to prepare for a possible future handling hydrogen/natural gas in the gas grid.
Contact: til@energinet.dk
Gas Networks Ireland
ERVIA: Decarbonising Domestic Heating in Ireland (study)
Ervia, the parent company of Gas Networks Ireland, commissioned KPMG to develop and evaluate a number of scenarios for the decarbonisation of the one million Irish residential homes currently connected, or within close proximity, to the existing gas network.
Contact: Henry.Smyth@ervia.ie
Enagás S.A.
Energy solutions
At Enagás, we take advantage of our experience to offer energy solutions that make our world a more sustainable place. This is part of our commitment to non-electric renewable energies, such as biomethane or hydrogen.
Contact: adenriquez@enagas.es
Snam Rete Gas S.p.A.
Gas for Climate (Ecofys)
Gas for Climate is a consortium created in 2017 consisting of European TSOs (Snam, Enagás, Energinet, Fluxys, Gasunie, GRTgaz, ONTRAS, Open Grid Europe, Swedegas, and Teréga) and two renewable gas industry associations (Consorzio Italiano Biogas and European Biogas Association). In 2020 the consortium published the Gas Decarbonisation Pathway 2020-2050 study by Guidehouse (formerly Navigant), analysing the transition towards the lowest cost climate neutral system by 2050. Such a fully integrated energy system was described in the Gas for Climate study published in 2019.
Contact: XAVIERLORENZO.ROUSSEAU@snam.it
Fluxys Belgium S.A.
Research & development
Fluxys Belgium undertakes applied research either by itself or in conjunction with academic institutions. It also collaborates with Gas.be and other European gas companies in various national and international organisations.
Contact: michel.vandenbrande@fluxys.com
