Thyssengas is Pushing Ahead With the Hydrogen Pipeline in Münsterland

Thyssengas reached another milestone in the development of the hydrogen core grid in North Rhine-Westphalia in mid-July. As part of the Coesfeld–Rinkerode pipeline project, the Dortmund-Ems Canal is currently being crossed. This so-called inverted siphon closes a crucial gap in the pipeline route and creates the conditions for transporting hydrogen from the core grid to the Münsterland region in the future. At a site visit, the company, together with representatives from politics and industry, provided an update on the project's progress.

The approximately 45-kilometer-long hydrogen pipeline is being converted from a former mineral oil pipeline to hydrogen transport. In the Coesfeld area, the pipeline will connect to the planned Emsbüren–Dorsten hydrogen pipeline, thus linking it to the central north-south connection of the hydrogen core grid . In Rinkerode, a connection to the planned new Rinkerode–Hamm (Uentrop) pipeline is planned for the future. The pipeline is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2027. An integrated T-junction also creates the technical prerequisite for connecting regional distribution grids as well as municipal and industrial customers to the hydrogen supply in the future.

Dr. Stefanie Kesting, CEO of Thyssengas, emphasized that the Coesfeld–Rinkerode hydrogen pipeline exemplifies how existing infrastructure can be used for a climate-neutral energy supply. The siphon will close an important gap in the pipeline route and lay the foundation for transporting hydrogen from the core grid to the region. Crucial for the successful ramp-up of hydrogen production is close cooperation between transmission and distribution grid operators, industry, municipalities, and policymakers.