3537 Research report: Hydrogen value-chain infrastructure integration: Interface analysis landscape review

Overview:

The Energy Institute (EI) launched this project to identify and address common industry challenges in "infrastructure integration" in relation to the hydrogen transition and understand where gaps exist in terms of knowledge and good practice guidance. This study focuses on the examination of the infrastructure required to link the evolving Gas Transmission Network and Distribution Networks with producers and consumers of blended Hythane and higher Hydrogen concentrations. Various possible interfaces are analysed throughout the hydrogen project cycle, from production to transmission, distribution and consumption, with twenty-six interfaces included. Some results of the work reveal that for some interfaces, there is no current version developed or in use. For other interfaces, what is conjectured is believed to be a good guide but may change from detailed design considerations during implementation.

To accomplish the project's objectives, stakeholders involved in hydrogen project development and operation were engaged. The report presents key observations regarding stakeholders' alignment with specific interfaces, gaps in alignment, top-level interface definitions, and critical technologies and engineering services for transmission, distribution, and road tankering interfaces in a Hythane or Hydrogen gas network.

The study has yielded much valuable information on the developing hydrogen landscape, but also points to a need for further research into key areas of uncertainty that the conclusions have revealed.