Hamburg's hydrogen network merges existing natural gas pipelines for long-haul transport link-up
In a significant stride towards cost savings and accelerating the energy transition in Hamburg, the city's hydrogen industry network, HH-WIN, is set to utilise an existing natural gas pipeline for long-distance connection to the European hydrogen pipeline system in southern Hamburg.
This innovative approach will see the repurposing of an existing high-pressure gas pipeline, previously a connecting pipeline of a HEW gas-fired power plant that ceased operation in 2004. The pipeline, which is in excellent technical condition due to corrosion protection measures such as nitrogen filling and cathodic pipe protection, will be converted into a hydrogen pipeline connection with minimal repair effort, as stated by Michael Dammann, Technical Director of Hamburger Energienetze.
The repurposing of this pipeline will spare approximately seven kilometers of pipeline construction, including a forest in the Harburg Hills, and eliminate the need for construction work in traffic-sensitive locations. This move will not only reduce capital investment but also shorten project timelines, lowering construction-related emissions, and easing the traffic situation in southwest Harburg.
The federal government and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg will fund 70% and 30% respectively for the HH-WIN project under the "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) program. This financial backing underscores the importance of the project in supporting Hamburg's transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Jens Kerstan, Senator for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture, has emphasised that green hydrogen is an important step towards ending the fossil fuel era and achieving climate goals. The utilisation of the existing pipeline for hydrogen distribution is a key step in this direction, facilitating the integration of green hydrogen into Hamburg’s energy mix.
With the repurposed pipeline, only connections on Am Radeland Street and a few kilometers along agricultural land in the south need to be constructed to establish the hydrogen pipeline connection. All other planned sections of HH-WIN will continue to be built, as recently announced by Hamburg Energy Networks.
In conclusion, the repurposing of the existing gas pipeline for HH-WIN significantly contributes to cost savings and accelerates the energy transition in Hamburg by avoiding the expenses and environmental impact of building new pipeline infrastructure. This approach makes hydrogen more accessible and economically viable in Hamburg, fostering sustainability and reduced carbon emissions, essential pillars of the local energy transition effort.
If you require more detailed project-specific figures or technical descriptions of the Hamburg pipeline repurposing, please let me know, and I will continue searching or clarify based on available knowledge. It is worth noting that the use of the existing line will not affect the planned commissioning date of 2027 for the first 40 kilometers of HH-WIN.
- The energy transition in Hamburg is being accelerated through the use of green hydrogen, as the city's hydrogen industry network, HH-WIN, is repurposing an existing natural gas pipeline for long-distance connection to the European hydrogen pipeline system.
- The innovative approach to repurpose a former gas pipeline, which ceased operation in 2004, will not only reduce capital investment but also shorten project timelines, lowering construction-related emissions, and easing traffic congestion in southwest Harburg.
- The federal government and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg are providing financial backing for the HH-WIN project, recognizing its importance in supporting Hamburg's transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
- Senator Jens Kerstan emphasizes that green hydrogen is a crucial step towards ending the fossil fuel era and achieving climate goals, and the utilization of the existing pipeline for hydrogen distribution is a key step in this direction, facilitating the integration of green hydrogen into Hamburg’s energy mix.
