GRDF – Climate: Hydrogen, Unavoidable in the Ecological Transition
To facilitate the injection of hydrogen into distribution networks, GRDF and 66 gas distributors from 13 European countries have launched the Ready for Hydrogen (Ready4H2) initiative . The objective of this project is to offer a common vision, backed by the experience of European distributors, of the fundamental role of gas distribution networks as a support for the development of hydrogen. By joining this initiative, GRDF accentuates its commitment to promote the injection of renewable gases into the French distribution network. The initiative is based on the long-term value of gas distribution infrastructures for the energy transition, responding at the same time to the expectations of territorial administrations, already engaged in numerous projects.
The gas network, an essential tool for the development of hydrogen
Hydrogen is one of the keys to the European energy transition. France recently announced its ambitions in this field, within the framework of the France 2030 plan, with the main objective of building a French branch of carbon-free hydrogen with international reach. GRDF, as the main gas distributor in France, is convinced that the network will be essential for the development of hydrogen in the coming years. GRDF is already preparing to receive this energy in complete safety and at a controlled cost for all users.
Ready4H2 , a shared knowledge to successfully transform the European gas networks
The 66 gas distributors involved in the Ready4H2 project aim, by February 2022, to demonstrate the essential role of gas distribution networks in the injection of hydrogen in the medium and long term. To this end, they will soon jointly contribute a vision of the use of gas networks at the service of the European decarbonisation strategy, these being a key vector for the development of renewable hydrogen. This roadmap will be a tool, available to European and French politicians, to contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality at a controlled and acceptable cost for both producers and consumers.
GRDF supports the development of hydrogen
Convinced that hydrogen will be part of renewable gases in 2050, GRDF is already working on projects to inject hydrogen into the grid. Since 2014, GRDF has been a pioneer together with other European partners thanks to the GRHYD project, which has made it possible to experiment with the supply of new homes with a mixture of hydrogen and natural gas, with a volume of hydrogen injected into the gas distribution network of up to 20%. GRDF participates in various projects around synthetic methane – gas produced by combining H 2 and CO 2 – throughout France, in particular through calls for projects. In order to support the development of hydrogen, GRDF is currently working on the conversion and exploitation of 100% H 2 networks. In this regard, the structuring of an operational and training platform for a hydrogen distribution circuit has begun, which should be in service in 2024, as a prelude to a first application on the ground planned for 2025.