The Gas for Climate consortium (with the addition of Creos Luxembourg, Gasgrid Finland, Gassco, National Gas Transmission and NET4GAS) has released a large energy system modelling study assessing the benefits of a Pan-European hydrogen transmission network. This study is conducted by means of an integrated energy system model which optimises the expansion and operation of the pan-European hydrogen, electricity and methane systems over the timeframe 2030 – 2050. The model generates two versions of the potential future energy system in the EU and neighbouring countries in two scenario groups expressing high and low evolution of future hydrogen demand.
The five corridors supplying hydrogen to Central Europe, identified by the EHB initiative, are clearly visible:
- two supply corridors from the south of Europe via Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, where domestic hydrogen produced mainly from solar power is complemented by renewable hydrogen imports from North Africa;
- a North Sea supply corridor that makes use of the vast offshore wind resource potentials for renewable hydrogen production complemented by some low-carbon hydrogen produced in Norway and the UK;
- a Nordic supply corridor which exports renewable hydrogen produced mainly by wind and hydropower from countries around the Baltic Sea;
- and a supply corridor from East and South-East Europe that taps renewable hydrogen potentials in South-East Europe and Ukraine.
Results of this study show that the development of a pan-European H2 network is a key element for the European energy transition. It contributes significantly to an affordable, secure and sustainable energy supply and provides significant benefits already in the short term. Immediate actions are needed to ensure that the required infrastructure is in place when needed.
