What are the challenges in Hydrogen pipeline projects?
Hydrogen is an energy source known as green or renewable, despite the fact that some types of hydrogen require fossil fuels to produce them, which creates CO2. One way to reduce the amount of CO2 created is by introducing hydrogen pipelines, which transport large amounts of hydrogen over long distances, reducing the reliance on heavy industry to transport hydrogen from its source to its demand site. But what are the main challenges in hydrogen pipeline projects? We look at the importance of hydrogen pipelines in the sector and the role of pipelines in large-scale hydrogen distribution.
Understanding the role of Hydrogen pipelines in energy distribution
Hydrogen pipelines play a crucial role in the transition to cleaner energy by providing an efficient way to transport hydrogen over long distances. They help reduce transportation emissions and ensure a steady supply of hydrogen for industrial and commercial use. However, implementing these pipelines comes with several challenges that must be addressed.
Material and technical challenges in Hydrogen pipelines
How does Hydrogen affect pipeline durability?
In the hydrogen energy sector, pipelines can be affected by the hydrogen that flows through them. Hydrogen sulphide can impact pipeline durability; when pipelines begin to degrade, this is known as embrittlement. Usually, pipelines crack and deform through embrittlement and aren’t able to bear loads as successfully as they were before embrittlement. Certain materials are more susceptible, particularly steel, though most metals will be impacted over time.
Preventing embrittlement in Hydrogen pipelines
The most common hydrogen pipeline materials are steel, nickel, and aluminium. The problem with hydrogen and pipeline durability is that pipelines can be compromised if hydrogen reaches below 150°C. To avoid this, a process called baking can be introduced, which means that hydrogen can avoid temperatures that may begin to cause damage to pipelines. Equipment can also be shut down before temperatures drop below 150°C.
Pipelines can be protected against embrittlement by avoiding conditions that cause corrosion, such as temperature changes, and by coating the surface of the metal. We can also manufacture pipelines from materials that are resistant to hydrogen—the ISO 15156 Standard prescribes hardness limits for materials that will not be subject to SSC in hydrogen sulphide environments.
Safety risks and leak detection in Hydrogen pipelines
Why is Hydrogen more prone to leaks
Hydrogen has a small molecule size, leading to higher leak risks, which is an issue in a confined space with an ignition source. Hydrogen exhibits high flammability and explosion risks: much like natural gas, high levels of hydrogen require a low amount of energy to ignite a flame, such as a spark. The other issue with hydrogen is that it is difficult for humans to see when it burns, particularly during the day because of its pale blue flame. It’s also difficult to detect burning hydrogen during the night because not much-infrared heat is emitted, so it's not as hot as you might expect when you’re close to the flame. When ignited, hydrogen can burn within seconds and much more quickly than other fuel sources. It can also cause equipment in or around it to explode.
Strategies for safe Hydrogen transportation
The properties of hydrogen can influence the design of hydrogen facilities to avoid hydrogen leaks, so it's important that the workspace is designed to take into account hydrogen’s unique properties. This includes best practices for safety and risk management, such as good ventilation and heat sensors, as well as pressure release valves to mitigate risk from hydrogen stored at high pressure.
Advanced leak detection technologies
Leak detection can be improved by introducing colour into the flame—sodium or additional burning materials will cause the flame to exhibit colour. Thermal imaging can also detect when a hydrogen fire is burning. One of the safest introductions is hydrogen and flame detectors, which can detect hydrogen leaks.
Economic and financial barriers to Hydrogen pipeline projects
High infrastructure costs and retrofitting challenges
The high cost of hydrogen infrastructure development is one major hurdle in widespread hydrogen implementation. Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, hydrogen is one of the most well-known, but also expensive forms of renewable energy as a fuel source. The grid, while being adapted and updated, is not currently fit to deal with an influx of hydrogen, which makes it a less economical option for the grid. One issue that could occur is coupling problems between district heating systems and the grid. The retrofitting of current infrastructure to prepare it for hydrogen is also expensive - comparatively as expensive as retrofitting for other high-price retrofitting for fuel sources such as natural gas pipelines.
Hydrogen’s economic viability compared to other fuels
While hydrogen has the potential to become a key player in the renewable energy transition, its cost remains a major barrier. Investments in hydrogen infrastructure, including pipeline construction and maintenance, require significant financial backing. Governments and private entities must work together to develop cost-effective solutions to make hydrogen more competitive in the energy market.
Regulatory and standardisation challenges in Hydrogen pipeline development
The need for international Hydrogen pipeline regulations
As hydrogen pipelines are still a relatively underdeveloped energy solution, there is a lack of unified regulations for the technology, with differences in hydrogen pipeline regulations across different regions. Clearly, there is a need for international standardisation. For example, there is no standardisation or framework for hydrogen pipeline rollout in the USA. The Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act may be used by the Surface Transportation Board for regulation, or the Natural Gas Act or the Interstate Commerce Act could be enforced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, however none of these organisations currently police the implementation of hydrogen pipelines.
Public concerns over Hydrogen pipeline safety and environmental impact
Understandably, there are public concerns about implementing hydrogen pipelines on a national scale. This is predominantly due to the environmental impact these pipelines could have on the environment. The small molecule size that leads to increased hydrogen leaking is a concern, mainly when pipelines run over long distances, making the risk of leakage much higher with the possibility of pollution to the environment and nearby water sources. The requirement for storing hydrogen at high pressure could also put nearby communities at risk of explosion or fire damage.
Legal and land dispute issues in pipeline expansion
Due to the long distances hydrogen pipelines would have to span in order to distribute energy effectively, land disputes could occur, particularly in cases where the pipelines pose a threat to livestock. These concerns, along with the lack of viable, successful case studies and the cost implications of implementation, mean that hydrogen pipeline projects could face lengthy approval processes.
Future prospects and potential solutions for Hydrogen pipelines
Developing more durable pipeline materials
For hydrogen pipelines to be viable over long distances, new materials with higher durability against hydrogen will have to be utilised. Alloy mixes can be a good solution in these circumstances - blending stainless steel, nickel and aluminium with alloys can increase their durability against hydrogen.
How can Hydrogen storage support renewable energy integration?
The success of the hydrogen networks also lies in its integration with other emerging technologies, such as battery storage solutions. Hydrogen is a good candidate for battery storage because it can be stored for long periods, making it a good solution to long-term renewable energy applications or remote regions.
Overcoming hydrogen pipeline challenges requires advanced materials, regulatory frameworks, and innovative solutions for safe and efficient hydrogen transport.
