The H2ready range for hydrogen transport
The term energy transition refers to the transition from the old “fossil world” to the new “renewable world,” that is, from an energy production model based on the use of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal, to another based on renewable energy sources.
This step is motivated not only by the fact that fossil fuels are exhaustible resources, but above all by the need to reduce the environmental impact and carbon dioxide emissions produced by their use, the main causes of global warming. In order to reduce such phenomena and kick-start an energy transition with decarbonisation among its main objectives, the European Union has established a path to transform Europe into the first continent
climate-neutral by 2050. It is precisely in this scenario that the global interest in hydrogen is framed which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), can offer an important contribution “to addressing many challenges
energy and achieve the objectives set for 2050”, both by integrating renewables and by helping to decarbonize the chemical and steel industries and heavy transport: hydrogen is an energy carrier on which great trust is placed to address climate challenges, as it can store and supply large quantities of energy without generating CO2 emissions during its use.
Hydrogen in gas distribution networks
The suitability of polyethylene pipes for hydrogen distribution at operating temperatures and pressures expected from the reference standards and national regulations has been demonstrated through multi-year trials by gas network operators and specific permeation tests in various laboratories.
Polyethylene is classified with satisfactory hydrogen resistance by ISO/TR guideline 10358 and PPI technical document TR-19 (Plastics Pipe Institute), while CEN/TR report 17797 provides practical guidance on the effects of hydrogen injection in gas transmission infrastructure. In the summary documents of TEPPFA (The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association), DVGW (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches – German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water) and KRV (Fachverband der Kunststoffrohr- Industrie – German Plastics Pipes Association) polyethylene piping systems are declared usable in the transport of hydrogen in the pure state or in mixtures with hydrocarbon fuel gases. In Italy, the presence of hydrogen is regulated by the Decree of 3/6/22, as an update to the Decree of the Ministry of Economic Development of 18/5/18, with a maximum permitted content in networks at the current state of 2.0% by volume.
Idrotherm 2000 and hydrogen
With the active participation of its R & D Division, Hydrotherm 2000 has long been engaged in research and development of the best solutions to validate the use of its polyethylene piping systems in hydrogen transport. The hydrogen permeability of the tubes, made with grades PE100 and PE100-RC in single- and multi-layer structures, was verified and validated through specific tests conducted by modulating the operating pressure up to 10 bar in external laboratories specifically accredited for this purpose. All polyethylene pipes conforming to the UNI EN 1555 standard produced by Idrotherm 2000 are today certified by the DBI-Gastechnologisches Institut with regard to their suitability for use in hydrogen-fired gas networks. H2ready certification guarantees its possibility of use with natural gas mixtures in variable proportions up to 100% hydrogen, attesting to the suitability of networks made with these products to meet the challenge of the energy transition.