German gas grid operator Open Grid Europe (OGE) and Nowega have launched the first conversion of natural gas pipeline to transport hydrogen, OGE announced through a press release.

The distance gas network operators celebrated a significant milestone on Monday with the launch of Germany's first-ever conversion of a natural gas pipeline to transport hydrogen, a groundbreaking move toward advancing the country's hydrogen economy.

Under the motto of "Pipe free for H2," the transformation commenced at OGE's Emsbüren compressor station, marking a pivotal step in Germany's commitment to the hydrogen era.

"This conversion of a natural gas transmission pipeline to hydrogen for the first time in Germany is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the energy transition and the German hydrogen network. OGE is proud to take this step together with Nowega as the first transmission system operators," stated Dr. Thomas Hüwener, Member of OGE’s Management Board, underscoring the importance of this historic project.

Frank Heunemann, managing director of Nowega, also emphasized the benefits of retrofitting existing pipelines to accommodate hydrogen, emphasizing the speed and cost-effectiveness of the project.

"These projects show that cooperation among transmission system operators works and that together we can build a high-performance hydrogen network," said Heunemann.

During the project's launch, the guests collectively pushed a button, initiating natural gas extraction by OGE's mobile compressor. This process involves redirecting gas from the Emsbüren-Bad Bentheim and Bad Bentheim-Legden pipeline sections into another pipeline, which lasted for about two days.

The 46-kilometer-long pipeline sections will be detached from the natural gas network, paving the way for hydrogen transport upgrading, scheduled for implementation in 2025. This conversion will facilitate future connections to the hydrogen supply for numerous industrial and SME customers.

The pipeline sections are integral to the GET H2 Nucleus project, designated for funding as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), with the two transmission system operators being active participants in the GET H2 initiative— a nationwide endeavor to establish the core of a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure.

Ownership of the Emsbüren-Bad Bentheim section lies with OGE, while the Bad Bentheim-Legden section is jointly owned by OGE and Nowega.

Nowega plans to convert another pipeline, running from Lingen to Bad Bentheim, to hydrogen beginning in November 2023. Recently, the company began constructing a new pipeline in Lingen, intending to bridge gaps in the hydrogen infrastructure.

The project marks a significant stride forward in Germany's quest for a hydrogen-powered future, underscoring the country's commitment to renewable energy and sustainability.