H2 Energy Europe and OGE to establish a hydrogen value chain

The Swiss company H2 Energy Europe AG and Essen-based Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) have signed an MoU to establish a hydrogen value chain ranging from hydrogen production to distribution/logistics and the supply of hydrogen for fuel-cell trucks.

This model was tested in Switzerland and will now be transferred to Germany, using green hydrogen from Denmark, among other sources. Together with Trafigura, H2 Energy is building a one-gigawatt electrolysis plant in Esbjerg in southern Denmark, which will supply hydrogen to up to 250 refuelling stations of the 50:50 joint venture between H2Energy Europe AG and Phillips 66 by 2026.

The joint venture’s planned network of hydrogen refuelling station in Germany, Austria and Denmark will consist of existing JET® filling stations as well as new sites along major traffic routes.

Hydrogen transportation by pipeline from the electrolysis plant to the region of the refuelling stations will be managed by OGE. At regional “pipeline hubs” the hydrogen will be taken from the pipeline, processed, compressed and filled into cylinders. The last mile to the individual refuelling stations will initially be bridged by truck until a local hydrogen network has been established.

OGE is ready for shipping hydrogen over long distances. Apart from operating the pipelines that can be converted from natural gas to hydrogen, Europe’s leading gas transmission system operator can draw on decades of proven expertise in pipeline construction and operation. OGE is already pushing ahead with plans for Germany-wide hydrogen infrastructure, parts of which are scheduled for commissioning as early as 2024, while a large-scale transmission system is set to be completed by the end of the 2020s.

Dr Jörg Bergmann, CEO of OGE, said, “As part of the energy transition, OGE has set itself the strategic goal of proactively shaping the transition towards decarbonised energy sources. Our goal is to provide impetus and contribute to the emerging hydrogen economy and hence to the market ramp- up and the achievement of climate protection goals. This project is part of that process.”

Rolf Huber, founder of H2 Energy, added, “Green gases and the associated infrastructure will play a key role in energy supply in a decarbonised world. The aim of our cooperation is to develop a continuous transportation route from the German-Danish border to the planned pipeline hubs, to identify preferred locations and to develop a technical concept for these pipeline hubs.”