Quantification and Localisation of the Planned Hydrogen Amount in Styria until 2050 and Development of a Transformation Path for Establishing a Styrian Hydrogen Infrastructure

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

The global energy system is currently to a large part built on fossil energy sources. In order to achieve a reduction of CO2-Emissions, it is essential to reshape the current energy system. This requires an increased use of renewable energy sources. In the gas sector, renewable hydrogen, which is seen as a highly versatile energy carrier, is considered a crucial component of a sustainable energy system of the future. For this purpose, the construction of a Paneuropean Hydrogen Network is planned to supply Europe with hydrogen on a large scale. On a national level also plans exist for the Hydrogen Core Network in Austria for the years of 2030 and 2040. As an energy network operator, Energienetze Steiermark GmbH is responsible for providing the necessary transport infrastructure for hydrogen in Styria. Within this master's thesis, a quantification and location of the future demand and procurement of predicted hydrogen quantities is carried out based on existing data. In the context of quantification, predicted CH4 quantities are also included. Therefore, data from industry surveys and calculated scenarios is used. The location of the quantities is determined based on defined main pipeline routes of the Styrian gas network. By examining how the H2 and CH4 demands develop per data source and pipeline route over time, it can be deduced which regions should be supplied with hydrogen from today's perspective. This results in a phased construction of the hydrogen network in Styria. The evaluation reveals that in 2030, the Styrian hydrogen supply should be carried out from the south. For this purpose, the construction of the Southern Line 4 pipeline, the construction of the Southern Line 3 pipeline, and the repurposing of the Southern Line 2 pipeline are required. At the same time, the necessary connection pipelines for the industry, which already have a hydrogen demand by 2030, should be established. By 2040, a gradual expansion of the hydrogen network in Styria will take place through the connection of industrial companies and grid-supportive electrolyzers to the Styrian hydrogen grid. In a further step, in 2040 the repurposing of the Southern Line 1 pipeline is intended to achieve additional hydrogen supply to Styria from the east as well as the connection of further important industrial companies. It is expected that by 2040, the construction of around 145 km of hydrogen pipelines and the repurposing of around 135 km of currently gas-carrying pipelines will be necessary to establish a hydrogen core network in Styria and to cover any gas demands.

Details

Translated title of the contributionQuantifizierung und Verortung geplanter Wasserstoffmengen in der Steiermark bis 2050 sowie Erstellung eines Transformationspfades für den Aufbau einer steirischen Wasserstoffinfrastruktur
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date28 Jun 2024
Publication statusPublished - 2024