Feasibility Study on Hydrogen Infrastructure for North and Central Hesse Presented

In order to promote the energy transition and ensure the future viability of the economy, the state of Hesse is supporting efforts to develop a regional hydrogen infrastructure in northern and central Hesse.

Hesse is to be connected to the supra-regional transport routes via the planned hydrogen pipelines of the “H2ercules” and “Flow” projects as well as via the “Werne-Eisenach pipeline”. Additional distribution grids are needed to distribute the hydrogen further afield. What such a network could look like for the region of North and Central Hesse is the subject of a study that was developed together with gas network operators.

“This study shows how the hydrogen supply in North and Central Hesse can be ensured via a distribution grid. Hydrogen is an important component of the energy transition and a key to the future viability of our economy,” explained Economics and Energy Minister Kaweh Mansoori, emphasizing that a seamless supply can only be achieved through joint action by all stakeholders. “I welcome the commitment to a Hessian hydrogen economy and thank the grid operators involved for their participation in the feasibility study,” said Mansoori.

Pipeline from Lahntal to Kassel

Based on expected demand, regional generation potential, possible import volumes and taking into account the existing gas infrastructure, the study outlines a pipeline line from the Lahn valley to the Kassel area, supplemented by local spur lines to supply large commercial consumers. The costs for this approximately 280 km long regional hydrogen backbone are estimated at between 245 and 300 million euros.

The route includes both new sections and rededicated gas pipelines. It will not initially be possible to supply hydrogen entirely via the existing gas network, as customers will still have to be supplied with natural gas via the current infrustructure.

A comparable study for the Rhine-Main region was already published in 2023.

Energy suppliers involved

The feasibility study on the “Development of a regional hydrogen backbone in northern and central Hesse” was carried out jointly by the State Hydrogen Office of LEA LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen and Ernst & Young Real Estate GmbH on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Economics. Fifteen gas distribution network operators from northern and central Hesse and four gas transmission network operators were involved.

Background

Following the adoption of the corresponding legal regulations by the Federal Government, the Federal Network Agency approved the application of the German transmission system operators to establish a hydrogen core grid with amendments on October 22, 2024. This grid is intended to create a supra-regional transport infrastructure for hydrogen in order to reach currently known large consumption and production regions for hydrogen in Germany and thus connect central locations such as large industrial centers, storage facilities, power plants and import corridors.

This study is the first concrete proposal for connecting Central and Northern Hesse to the future nationwide hydrogen core grid. The results of the study will enable the regional distribution system operators to show potential customers from industry and commerce a perspective for a secure future supply of grid-bound hydrogen. The results of the study will be presented and discussed with regional stakeholders and other interested parties in the coming weeks. The LEA LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen is preparing a series of events via the State Hydrogen Agency.