German network operators Ferngas and Stahlwerk Thüringen have forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for hydrogen integration.  

Stahlwerk’s Unterwellenborn plant in Thuringia, Germany, is set to link up with the hydrogen network by 2027 after necessary planning and technical preparations.

The firm’s steel mill will use purchased green hydrogen via the grid infrastructure, gradually replacing natural gas. Initially, hydrogen will constitute over half of the prior natural gas volume.

Ferngas is slated to establish the needed infrastructure for hydrogen transport to the steelworks, repurposing an existing 70km natural gas pipeline from Erfurt to Unterwellenborn.

Steel industry development and showcase their commitment to eco-friendly technologies.

The transformation of the existing pipeline necessitates permits, proof of hydrogen integration, operability suitability, and regulatory framework from the legislature for hydrogen line operation.

The significance of connecting the energy-intensive steelworks to the planned hydrogen core network with the Thüringian Ministry of Economics will be an epoch-making step in the energy system. 

Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, another German company, recently announced €2 billion ($2.2 billion) support from the German Government for decarbonizing steel production through renewable hydrogen.

H2 View’s upcoming hydrogen summit in KL on December 7-8, 2023, will delve into hydrogen’s potential in the Asia-Pacific region, addressing economic needs while prioritizing sustainability. 

The summit aims to foster thought leadership, insights, case studies, networking, and connections to facilitate actionable investment in the APAC hydrogen landscape.