Meeting of the Transport, Distribution and Storage Vertical (18 September).

The second meeting of the Transport, Distribution and Storage Vertical, led by Nortegas, was held on Monday 18 September at the BEC, where 40 centres and companies that form part of this vertical analysed the main challenges of the sector for technological development and the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem in the Basque Country.

The session began with an update on the progress of the vertical and regulatory aspects related to hydrogen transport, distribution and storage.  Nortegas reported on the progress of the H2SAREA project, in which they have successfully completed the third phase of tests by injecting a blend of 15% hydrogen and 85% natural gas into a scale replica of their distribution networks. They are currently working with 20% blends.

Calvera presented the project to expand the engineering and production capacities of the virtual gas pipeline, financed by the IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving) within the framework of the PERTE ERHA - Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation / Renewable Energies, Hydrogen and Storage - Hydrogen Innovation Value Chain, through which they are setting up a new facility to manufacture hydrogen refuelling stations, high pressure storage (HP) systems and equipment associated with green hydrogen, as well as expanding their manufacturing facilities and increasing the number of qualified personnel to meet the high level of growth.

Enagas and Lumiker presented the OPTHYCS project: demonstration of H2 monitoring and leak detection systems, in which they are developing a new sensor technology that will increase the level of safety of hydrogen applications, from production to storage and distribution, both in new infrastructures that work with pure H2 and in reused natural gas facilities and pipelines, contributing to a safer and economically viable deployment of H2 production, transport and storage processes.

The session also featured an external guest session by Teréga, who presented the HySow initiative, a 600 km pipeline infrastructure capable of transporting 16 TWh/year of decarbonised hydrogen throughout south-west France. This infrastructure will enable two-directional hydrogen transit - East-West and West-East - between Marseille and Bordeaux, while supplying the areas of Greater Toulouse, the Lacq industrial hub and the ports of Bayonne and Port-la-Nouvelle.

The meeting included a networking space to share different concerns among the attendees about the challenges and regulation of hydrogen transport, distribution and storage.