A network of hydrogen pipelines in the North Sea makes economic sense and is practically feasible, say researchers from consultancy firm DNV.
The researchers state that a network of some 4,200 kilometres of hydrogen pipelines can be built in the North Sea. Such a network of pipelines could connect offshore wind farms – which can produce green hydrogen in addition to green electricity – to countries in North-Western Europe such as Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
According to the researchers, producing hydrogen gas in the North Sea and distributing it through pipelines is cheaper than importing hydrogen that is transported by ship to northwestern Europe. Getting hydrogen from Africa and the Middle East is often seen as attractive, because producing green hydrogen is more efficient in countries with a lot of sunshine than in Europe. But to transport hydrogen safely, it is usually converted into ammonia – and then converted back into hydrogen gas. In this way, transport drives up the costs.
In addition, the researchers point out the strategic importance of producing hydrogen ourselves. Pipelines also take up less space and are also cheaper than electricity cables. This makes a hydrogen infrastructure in the North Sea extra attractive.
