September 2023, update
Plans for a hydrogen pipeline network with extension into the North Sea are gaining pace.
German H2 core grid with integrated onshore- and offshore planning drafted ready for approval by BNetzA. This might be as early as end of 2023
The H2 core grid includes the AquaDuctus Hydrogen backbone into the NorthSea
AquaDuctus capacity increased from 10GW to 20GW !
400km length and 120bar pressure
Offtake H2 from Offshorewind produced in the SEN1 zone (1GW)
Landing point Wilhelmshaven with connections to inland industrial centers
Pipeline allows inexpensive transport of H2 for 0.1-0.2 €/kg H2
Plans to expand into EEZ to include H2 from Offshorewind from neighboring countries
GASCADE and Fluxys have applied to the European Commission for ‘Project of Common Interest’ (PCI) status for the AquaDuctus project.
GASCADE managing director Christoph von dem Bussche said the offshore pipeline, which will be more than 400 km long when completed, “will become a linchpin in Germany’s and Europe’s future offshore hydrogen infrastructure.” He emphasised the project’s European, interconnecting character and the fact that it is designed as a ‘backbone’ to collect hydrogen from multiple production sites while also offering the potential to link up with other international hydrogen flows through the North Sea.
Hydrogen will be transported to the German coast via the offshore pipeline and fed into the onshore network. In this way, AquaDuctus will provide large-scale offshore hydrogen infrastructure in the North Sea for hydrogen imported into Germany.
