Ready4H2 Plenary Meeting Showcases Project’s Success

Last week the Ready4H2 project held its annual Plenary meeting in Brussels for its third year (“Phase 3”) which runs till the end of February. The event marked a celebration of the project’s achievements and a look ahead to the next 12-months period, “Phase 4”. The Steering Committee, made up of 9 country representatives, expressed its heartfelt thanks to all members, partners and supporters for their valuable work over the last year, which has driven the project forward in measurable steps.  

The following key achievements were shared:  

• Expansion of the Ready4H2 community - Scotland and Ukraine joined the project.  
• Workshops and engagement - hosted 7 technical and commercial workshops, with participation from members, partners and invited guests. Topics included safety, Gas Package legislation, de-blending and purification, DSO readiness to convert, and lessons learned from conversion projects. 
• Strategic communication - developed a research and messaging strategy, enhancing Ready4H2’s presence at events (over 20) and on social networks. 
• Publications and resources - established a new database of members' projects, published two brochures jointly with DVGW on the role of hydrogen reducing emissions and the ability of gas infrastructure to transport hydrogen, and submitted a response to the draft low-carbon gas delegated act of the Gas Package.  
• Research and studies - completed 3 significant studies, to be published in February, that will form the foundation of advocacy over the next 12 months of the project: 
  1. Transformation Survey - evaluating the progress of members along the Ready4H2 Transformation Roadmap. 
  2. Geospatial study (with Frontier Economics) - mapping the need for DSOs to deliver hydrogen to HTDS across decarbonisation scenarios. 
  3. Cost study (with DBI) - assessing the cost to convert a grid to hydrogen. 

Whilst Phase 3 centred on research and targeted knowledge sharing, Phase 4 will focus on advocacy, whilst continuing the important series of deep dives and workshops on topics that are of key relevance to members. The Ready4H2 Steering Committee will continue its collaboration and showcase the ability and necessity of the gas grids in delivering hydrogen throughout Europe.  

A lot of the project’s success is attributed to the leadership of the 3 Working Groups: Peter Demek, Ready4H2 member and Working Group Leader Knowledge sharing confirmed that:

Being a member brings so much value. During Phase 3 we practically turned into one-stop shop for technical know-how for all engaged DSOs. We know each other much more now. This is very helpful in setting up realistic decarbonisation strategies within our organisations, not reinventing the wheel and identifying potential gaps that still exist.

If your company is interested in hydrogen as part of its decarbonisation objectives, we encourage you to reach out and join the Ready4H2 during the important Phase 4. Benefits include tailored-to-your-needs knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships with stakeholders in Brussels, access and participation to reports to demonstrate the crucial role of gas DSOs in the energy transition and many more.