The German federal government is using hydrogen far more frequently. However, the necessary transit network is still lacking. A network of pipelines with a length of several hundred kilometers is planned to pass through Brandenburg alone. Existing lines are also relevant.
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| Hydrogen pipeline project of Germany |
The national hydrogen strategy's ambitious goals were unveiled in Berlin on Wednesday. 1,800 kilometers of hydrogen pipeline networks, 10 gigawatt systems, and 130 trillion watts of electricity from hydrogen.
The primary industries that use hydrogen include those that produce steel, the chemical industry, alternate types of propulsion for trucks, and hydrogen power plants. Above all, these power plants must make up for the electrical grid's erratic behavior, which is exacerbated when electricity is produced mostly from wind and solar energy.
The new strategy's stated objective is to build the essential infrastructure far more quickly than the previous administration's 2020 construction schedule.
Setting the path is crucial, according to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen): "Investments in hydrogen are an investment in our future, in climate protection, in qualified jobs, and in the security of our energy supply." According to the credo, it is no longer conceivable without hydrogen.
Water molecules must be broken down in order to produce hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). Water electrolysis is the name for this splitting. an activity that consumes a lot of energy. Because of this, it is planned to manufacture so-called "green hydrogen" in the future using renewable energy.
The objectives for production capacity have been raised by a factor of two under Habeck's ambitious plan. Germany should thus have facilities that ensure an electrolysis capacity of at least 10 gigawatts by 2030. This might be used to produce enormous quantities of hydrogen, which could then provide 28 terawatt hours of electricity. A 28 and twelve zeros are used to represent 28 trillion watt hours.
However, it is clearly apparent that present production levels are unlikely to satisfy the demand in 2030. The government would therefore only be able to create 30% of the hydrogen domestically; the other 70% would still need to be imported. The predicted total demand for 2030 is 130 terawatt hours. For reference, Germany produced about 260 terawatt hours of electricity from renewable sources last year.
For the transportation of significant amounts of hydrogen, appropriate networks are needed. On one hand, to transport the hydrogen generated here to the locations where it is required. But the most important thing is to be able to import hydrogen from overseas.
High pressure must be used to put up this hydrogen network. By 2027 or 2028, Germany is supposed to have a 1,800-kilometer "start network" in place. Additionally, there are 4,500 additional kilometers of pipeline throughout Europe. For this, just about a third of the lines must be rebuilt. In most cases, existing natural gas pipes can be converted.
Several businesses, like Ontras Gastransport, are getting ready for this shift. It has so far controlled the amounts of natural gas flowing into the municipal network of Potsdam, which is to the south. Adjustments to pressure are most important here.
Here, it is welcomed that the transition to hydrogen should now happen much more quickly. According to Ralf Borschinsky from the Brandenburg firm, "We see this as the right step to advance the hydrogen infrastructure and get the market ramp-up for hydrogen as well."
He asserts that it is technically feasible to convert the gas pipes to hydrogen.
However, the entire country need billion-dollar investments. The state must assist the businesses in the changeover. According to Borschinsky, "many billions of euros will flow," and to make that happen, "you need a specific incentive situation so that our investors really get involved."
The National Hydrogen Strategy is seen by the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics as supporting its own ambitions. However, Brandenburg has to greatly increase its hydrogen generation. One terawatt hour of hydrogen production is anticipated to be possible by 2030. Then, it ought to be 21 terawatt hours in 2045.
The demand might potentially be substantially more than the manufacturing capabilities in the Mark as well. The use of hydrogen in Brandenburg is projected to reach five terawatt hours in 2030 and 40 terawatt hours in 2045.
The pipeline network must be expanded immediately. High pressure should be used to do this. The Brandenburg hydrogen network should be 687 kilometers long by 2030. This would make it possible to transport at least three times as much hydrogen as is anticipated to be used. The network is anticipated to expand to 1,100 kilometers by 2045.
It is not, however, free. Up to 2045, Brandenburg's expansion and running expenses are projected to total 1.2 billion euros. An audacious calculation over such a lengthy time. But it at least conveys the scope of the expenses.
However, the Economics Ministry asserts that this would be a purchase that would pay for itself very soon. The ministry stated in writing that "we see great opportunities for the country along the entire hydrogen value chain." You're advised to move quickly. "At this time, it's critical to quickly put the strategy's measures into action. The expediting of the planning and approval procedures is crucial, especially.
The availability of the water needed to produce hydrogen in these dimensions is still an open topic. One terawatt hour of energy typically requires 30,000 tons of hydrogen to produce. Additionally, around nine cubic meters of water, or 9,000 liters, are required to make one tonne of hydrogen.
A total of 35.1 million cubic meters of water would be needed to create the 130 terawatt hours that Germany is expected to need by 2030. A huge quantity, yet just one-tenth of what is sucked out of the groundwater in Lusatia each year to keep the open-cast mine running.
The actual electrolysis capacity in Germany, however, are far lower, at 28 terawatt hours. In 2030, they will need roughly 8 million cubic meters of water. Ralf Borschinsky from Ontras Gastransport cautions that "water will definitely not be the limiting factor." But to create the green hydrogen, I need the green energy. The first will be that.
For example, many thousand contemporary wind turbines were required to be able to generate the necessary power from renewable sources for the planned electrolysis facilities.
Source: Andreas B. Hewel / RRB 24