Study Sees Potential for Huge North Sea Hydrogen Pipelines
by Vera Eckert (Reuters) Costs for tapping offshore wind for hydrogen seen viable; North Sea-bordering countries would gain from joint plan; Local ventures would cut costs, avoid import dependency
Investments of between 15 and 22 billion euros ($15.92-$23.36 billion) could buy a 4,200-kilometre new hydrogen pipeline network linking Germany, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, according to a study from analysts at DNV consultancy on Thursday.
The study, commissioned by German gas pipeline operator Gascade, says that up to 300 terawatt hours (TWh) a year of clean hydrogen made from North Sea offshore wind power could be transported by the grid.
This would meet 15% of demand for the synthetic fuel that the European Union forecasts for the year 2050.
Germany and the European Union are seeking to shift future energy production towards renewables and to produce, import and market hydrogen from wind and sunshine to eliminate climate-warming gases.
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DNV asked whether offshore wind power should be converted on-site into hydrogen via electrolysis plants, or whether the power should be brought to coastal electrolysis facilities.
The coastal option was most price-efficient for wind power produced less than 100 kilometres away from land.
On-site hydrogen production out at sea would save on costly new electricity cables of far lower energy capacity, when compared with pipelines, and would beat costs of seaborne hydrogen imports from overseas. READ MORE
