Together with the German Energy Agency (Deutsche Energie Agentur – dena), the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) is publishing a study on the future supply of Germany hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure via a hydrogen pipeline network. The analysis shows that a central hub model to supply hydrogen refuelling stations could be a cost-effective and sustainable solution. The study also provides nine specific recommendations for action to create the conditions for connecting H₂ hubs and refuelling stations to the H₂ network.

With the study: ‘Supply of H₂ Refuelling Infrastructure in Germany through a H₂ pipeline network’, authors of the study conduct a techno-economic evaluation of connection options for hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) to the hydrogen core network (H₂ core network) in Germany. Technological as well as regulatory requirements and estimated costs of various connection options are compared for the year 2023.

A key finding of the study is that a central hydrogen hub (H₂ hub) on the H₂ core network could serve as a cost-effective and sustainable future solution for hydrogen supply. Such a hub could distribute hydrogen to nearby fuelling stations and bundle processes such as H₂ purification. This would increase economic feasibility and efficiency considerably. Four supply options were analysed for technical feasibility and economic evaluation: the direct connection of a hydrogen refuelling station to the H₂ core network, the use of a H₂ hub on the core network, connecting to the H₂ distribution network and the use of a H₂ hub on the distribution network.

The study, which was produced on the basis of a meta-analysis, interviews as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis and evaluation methods, shows that hydrogen hubs can reduce the transport and processing costs for hydrogen from a certain minimum distance through economies of scale. At the same time, technological challenges still exist, in particular in the purification of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles, which suggests piloting the H₂ hub model.

Alina Hain, COO of NOW GmbH: “The results of the study confirm the central role that the hydrogen core network can play in the supply of future hydrogen refuelling stations. H₂ hubs on the hydrogen core network, integrated infrastructure planning and further technological development of hydrogen processing can guarantee the supply security of refuelling stations, even at high demand, and at the same time, reduce the costs of hydrogen delivery to the refuelling stations.”

In addition to the technological and economic analysis, the regulatory framework conditions for a H₂ network were considered. With a length of over 9,000km, the planned German H₂ core network will convert around 60% of existing natural gas pipelines and is expected to gradually begin operating from 2025. Investment of around 19 billion euros is anticipated by the end of 2032, which will be recouped in future through network charges. For an efficient development of the H₂ infrastructure, the study recommends the creation of a coordinated planning approach between the H₂ network and the hydrogen refuelling stations as well as a platform for the coordinated capturing of future hydrogen demand in the transport sector.

Based on today’s knowledge it can be assumed that heavy-duty trucks will represent the majority of demand for hydrogen in the transport sector. However, the trajectory of demand is unclear, as illustrated by the wide range of different scenarios. NOW-Monitoring estimates hydrogen demand in road transport to be 385,000 to 510,000 tonnes in 2030 and 1.3 to 2 tonnes for the years spanning 2045 to 2050. The BMWK long-term scenarios show a possible range of zero to 30,000 tonnes in 2030 and zero to 1.7 million tonnes in 2045 in the T45 electricity and T45 H₂ scenarios. In the context of this uncertainty, the suggested hub model represents a cost-effective option to create the preconditions for the market ramp-up of heavy-duty trucks with hydrogen drives.

Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of the German Energy Agency (dena): “A nationwide and cost-competitive hydrogen supply is essential for the willingness of the logistics sector to invest in hydrogen vehicles. This study shows ways in which refuelling stations could be supplied with hydrogen in a cost- and energy-efficient manner.”

The study addresses the necessary expansion of H₂ infrastructure with nine specific recommendations for action. These include dovetailing planning for H₂ networks and the H₂ refuelling station network, the creation of a platform for determining H₂ demand, identifying potential H₂ hub locations and the creation of operator models. Further recommendations include the development of cost-efficient H₂ purification processes and an early determination of network charges, required for planning security.