14. April 2025
Last week, Ready4H2 held its 9th webinar where Frontier Economics presented the results of the geospatial study it carried out in cooperation with Ready4H2 members in its report The Role of Gas Distribution in the Hydrogen Transition. The aim of the workshop was to assist members understand the results of the study and therefore be more confident in present them to others, and advocate for the role of the distribution grids in delivering hydrogen.
The study was conducted in order to assess the overall role of DSOs in delivering hydrogen - both in terms of physical need for connection and how much hydrogen volume will need to be delivered, in 9 Ready4H2 member countries and in 2030, 2040, and 2050 using TYNDP scenarios. A DSO was deemed necessary if the hydrogen consumer was 3km or more away from the EHB or a green hydrogen production facility (electrolyser plant).
The study highlights the importance of European gas DSOs in linking hydrogen supply to demand in the future in all sectors, driven by the wide dispersion of hydrogen demand throughout Europe. Around half the hydrogen needed by consumers located more than 3 km from the EHB will need to be connected by a distribution pipeline. In addition, 11% of consumers are located between 1km and 3km, and a significant number of consumers are located within 1km (39% of demand) but due to high connection costs and uncertainties in the supply, this figure is uncertain.
Ready4H2 will publish its report detailing all research results conducted last year.
