The North Sea can become the liberator of Europe from all energy dependence, particularly vis-à-vis American LNG. Soon it could be the site of massive hydrogen production on the plateau thanks to offshore wind and with the distribution of a colossal energy flow through a network of hydrogen pipes linking the countries of the North West from Europe. The corresponding study was carried out by the consulting firm DNV commissioned by the infrastructure system managers – the German GASCADE and the Belgian Fluxys.
The project confirms the significant benefits of the offshore hydrogen pipeline in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
The implementation of the project in the short term would contribute significantly to reducing dependence on possible energy imports. This positive aspect of improved supply reliability should be appreciated quite highly after the experience of the recent past.
says Ulrich Benterbusch, Managing Director of German GASCADE.
According to the study under consideration, an investment of $15.9 billion to $23.3 billion could enable the construction of a North Sea hydrogen pipeline with a total length of 4,200 kilometers to distribute more efficiently cheap energy to consumers.
The offshore hydrogen highway, due to the high economies of scale of the infrastructure network, will very efficiently transport hydrogen from offshore areas to end users. And although the technical implementation is new, it is still possible with today’s technology. The return on investment and benefits are more than evident, according to the DNV study.
However, the main and main conclusion of the report is that the creation of an offshore hydrogen pipeline in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea is feasible, economically feasible and will help facilitate the transition to clean energy in Europe, by eliminating dependence on foreign hydrocarbon suppliers.
The actual preparation for the implementation of the megaproject has already begun. GASCADE and Fluxys are jointly implementing the AquaDuctus project, a 400 kilometer hydrogen pipeline connecting the coast to an onshore section in Germany. It will be part of the future branched network.
Photos used: gazprom.ru
