(overview of the NATURALHY-project) Preparing for the hydrogen economy by using the existing natural gas system as a catalyst (overview of the NATURALHY-project) by Dave Pinchbeck, GERG – The European Gas Research Group, B & Rolinda Huizing, Gasunie Engineering & Technology, NL

Main political drivers towards H2 economy Improved security of supply Reduced CO2-emission (Kyoto, >8% reduction by 2010) Improved air quality Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

TRANSITION TO H2 ECONOMY The transition to the hydrogen economy will be lengthy, costly and will require significant R&D PRACTICAL STRATEGY Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Natural gas system could promote transition by: Offering smooth transition by initially conveying a hydrogen/natural gas mixture Advancing use of H2 in shorter time-frame by extracting hydrogen from the mixture Lowering costs by using the existing system Providing opportunity to carry H2 to dispersed users through widespread natural gas system Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

The NATURALHY approach Natural gas Full H2 - area Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Presence of hydrogen may affect: Impact of adding H2 to Natural Gas System Presence of hydrogen may affect: Safety of transmission, distribution, and end-use Pipeline durability and integrity Gas appliance performance Hence….The NaturalHy Project Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

NATURALHY Project Objective Preparing for the hydrogen economy by defining the conditions under which the existing natural gas system can be used for mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas, and where hydrogen can be separated from the mixture downstream by membranes. Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

The NATURALHY-project 39 European partners, including 15 from the gas-business Integrated Project within FP6 Project budget: 17.3 M€; EC grant: 11 M€ Start 1 May 2004 for 5 years Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Project Partners Gas companies and gas research institutes financed by gas companies DBI DGC DEPA GERG IFP IGDAS ISQ Naturgas Midt-Nord BP Gaz de France Gasunie Shell Hydrogen Statoil Total Transco Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Differences in the pipeline systems; The involvement of a broad assembly from the European gas industry is important because: Differences in the pipeline systems; Differences in the composition of the gases; Gas companies are very careful with changes (some call it “conservative”); To obtain the support of all stakeholders. Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Project Partners (Cont’d) Universities and Institutes Technical University Berlin National Technical University of Athens Leeds University Loughborough University Högskolan i Borås TUBITAK University of Warwick Ecole Nationale d’ingenieur de Metz Norwegian University of Science and Technology NEN COGEN ECN HSE TNO CEA PLANET Manufacturers and Consultants CSM CMI TOG GE/PII CETH SAVIKO Exergia SQS Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Project Structure Divided into six technical work packages Excluding: Hydrogen production Hydrogen utilisation Key focus on: Socio-economic and life cycle analysis Durability and Integrity of pipelines Impact on overall safety Effect on existing gas appliances Membranes for selective withdrawal of hydrogen Decision tool to aid assessment of system suitability Dissemination of results Strategic Advisory Committee Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Natural gas production Safety Performance Integrity Standards and norms Full H2 - area H2-production Natural gas production Socio-economic & LCA Dissemination (in cooperation with HYSAFE) H2-Membranes Durability Collaboration with HYWAYS (roadmap development) Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Pipeline System Durability Focus on Safety Safety of Appliances Flame instability? Pipeline System Durability Hydrogen induced cracks? Will smaller defects lead to failure? Are plastic pipes permeable for hydrogen? Are meter seals permeable? Pipeline Integrity Will smaller defects be significant? Can defects be detected and repaired?

Focus on Safety Safety of the Public Increase in leakage due to hydrogen? Increased likelihood of accidental release due to detrimental effect of hydrogen on materials? Increased likelihood of ignition? Increased severity of consequences (eg explosions) due to reactivity of hydrogen? Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Durability of Pipelines Laboratory tests to assess effect of H2 on fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth Investigation of the effect of H2 on the evolution of defects Full scale fatigue and burst tests with defined defects Numerical modelling of rapid crack propagation Laboratory tests on polymer permeability and ageing Tests to assess effect of hydrogen on meter components

Integrity of Pipelines Assess minimum critical defect size by predicting the crack growth behaviour in presence of hydrogen Assess current inspection techniques for detecting minimum defect size and improve the techniques Assess current repair techniques for use in presence of hydrogen and improve as required Develop integrity management tool for specifying pipeline inspection and maintenance plans

Example of the outcome of an assessment by the Decision Support Tool Considered H2 CPH-turbine, max 15% H2 Piece of pipe (durability), max 6% 8 bar Pipeline (safety zone), max 10% H2 Natural Gas 40 bar 8 bar Burner, max 12% H2 In-house infrastructure, max 18% H2 Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Summary The NaturalHy Project aims to encourage and facilitate a transition to the hydrogen economy on a shorter timeframe by providing a transitional period based on using the existing gas infra-structure to convey a natural gas/hydrogen mixture Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

Summary The project will assess the feasibility of using the system for NG/H2 mixtures, establish the limits of operation and methods for extracting hydrogen A strong emphasis is placed on the continued integrity of the pipeline system and the safety of the public Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

List of external members of the SAC Safety: Health Safety Executive, HYSAFE Energy/natural gas: IGU, IEA, Ruhrgas, ENItecnology, DVGW, IAHE, NaturCorp, NUON, IAHE Policymaking: HYWAYS, EU-Commission, NL Min. of Economics,Wuppertal Institute, EU- Parliament, US DOE Regulations: CEN Environment: WWF, Bellona End use: ENGVA Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ROLINDA HUIZING Gasunie Engineering & Technology +31 50 521 2239 r.r.huizing@gasunie.nl www.naturalhy.net www.gerg.info www.getgasunie.nl