The research activity “Analysis at European level about development state of a hydrogen transport network aiming an in-depth study of knowledge supporting regulation on network ‘s interoperability” aims to create a “regulatory observatory” to monitor that the evolution of regulatory framework is compatible with an equal and distributed development of the system, based on common principles and interoperability. In detail, the activity is focused on realization of a broad-spectrum survey and analysis of results with a semi-quantitative approach based on statistical methods.

The survey was addressed to various stakeholders such as Transport System Operators (TSO) (49%), research bodies, trade associations and private industries (remaining 51%) of different Countries. Feedback (16% of total), from 3 Countries (Italy, Poland, and Hungary), were processed in statistical and aggregated form.

The results, although limited to the regional characteristics of the countries that gave feedbacks, are in any case to be considered as positive. In fact, the survey shows that the state of preparation of various Countries for use of hydrogen on a large scale is considered still “preliminary” for blending with natural gas (67%) while “not mature” for pure H2 (43%).

In detail, considering the possibility to produce hydrogen according to European goals, it can be predicted that production will not be sufficient to cover the entire European energy demand and it will be necessary to adapt the transport system by improving the import/export from other producing Countries, also non-EU.

Currently, the main concrete option for large-scale transport of blending (H2NG) is at low concentration i.e.2% (not more than 10%), for which few regulatory adjustments are required with respect to other solutions explored in this survey (H2 concentration from 20% to 100%).

The report illustrates the areas for regulatory improvement and addresses the future research with the aim to support the hydrogen sector towards economic (market), regulatory and transversal items with a focus on blending.

This is the first survey on the entire hydrogen supply chain addressed to various international stakeholders and it could be significant to propose it again in the future, hoping for a greater involvement of States (including non-EU countries) assuring a collaboration with Government Bodies (e.g., European Commission) and research centres (e.g., Joint Research Centre).

The document is available on the site in Italian