BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct.4
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Compared with building new hydrogen pipelines, repurposing existing natural gas pipeline systems as dedicated hydrogen networks can be substantially less costly and the lead times can be much shorter, Trend reports with refence to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Ultimately, this could translate into lower transport tariffs and improve the cost-competitiveness of hydrogen. Pipeline repurposing can range from simple measures (e.g. replacing valves, meters and other components) to more complex solutions, including replacing/recoating pipeline segments (which entails pipe excavation). Also, considering that hydrogen has a higher leakage rate and an ignition range about seven times wider than that of methane, it may be necessary to upgrade leak detection and flow control systems.
Practical experience of gas-to-hydrogen pipeline conversion is rather limited, with several crude oil and product pipelines repurposed to carry hydrogen in the 1970s and 1990s. The first conversion of a natural gas pipeline for full hydrogen service in the Netherlands was put into commercial service in November 2018 by Gasunie (12 km with throughput capacity of 1.25 kt H2/yr). Repurposing took six to seven months.
The cost benefits of gas pipeline repurposing can be substantial. The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) study suggests conversion costs are 21-33 percent the cost of a new hydrogen pipeline. Of an expected ~40 000 km of hydrogen pipelines in Europe by 2040, the study estimates 75 percent will be repurposed.
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