Hydrogen is supported by a European strategy, particularly in the fight against global warming and in the quest for energy sovereignty over Russia. However, it is interesting to note one of the known limitations of this molecul: its transport. Hydrogen can be transported in three main ways: by road and rail, by sea and by pipeline.
Road and rail transport:
Road and rail transport are not suitable for moving large quantities. Therefore, we need to invest in other modes of transport to make the use of hydrogen by industries in Europe commonplace. Moreover, safety remains a key issue when it comes to transport, given that hydrogen is a highly flammable gas and is much lighter than natural gas, making it easier to leak. Trucks (or trains) carrying hydrogen must therefore be adapted for its transport.
However, for truck transport specifically, it may be advantageous to liquefy this hydrogen to be able to transport it over short distances for industries that require this molecule in its purest, i.e., liquefied, form.
Transport by boat:
For the moment, transporting hydrogen by boat is still in project stage. The technology that would make this possible is liquefying hydrogen for transport (like methane), returning it to its gaseous state when it arrives at its destination. However, hydrogen can only be liquefied at a temperature of -273.15°C, an extreme temperature that is difficult to reach, and above all very energy intensive. It is not profitable enough. Moreover, producing one liter of liquefied hydrogen would require twice as much electricity (1 liter of green hydrogen contains 2.4 kWh of energy, but producing it by electrolysis and transporting it would require 4.8 kWh of energy).
Boat transport could be used by hydrogen-exporting countries that are not geographically close to the European Union (Chile and Australia, for example). However, the ports of arrival need to be brought up to standard, as gasification requires specific infrastructure, while the use of liquid hydrogen is not yet standard practice. This is why, today, most shipping is carried out in a derivative form that hydrogen can produce: ammonia.
Transport by pipeline:
Transporting hydrogen by pipeline is more likely to meet the needs of the European Union, as many countries have sufficient potential to produce all future European consumption, including European nations (Spain, Portugal, France, Norway) as well as non-European (the whole of North Africa). Pipeline transport of hydrogen requires particular attention, given the characteristics of this very light gas. When transported on its own, it can leak more easily, which is why existing gas infrastructures need to be upgraded for hydrogen transport. However, this upgrade is possible and technically advanced in view of the major projects that have been carried out within the European Union.
The problem is that no definitive solution has been finalized for transporting hydrogen. Prices remain highly variable, depending on the type of transport and the age of the gas network, as well as the training required for workers, because the use of this energy remains a safety and sociological challenge, as not everyone is ready to accept this energy carrier.
The three types of transport for this energy will undoubtedly compete with one another but will be necessary for the use that the European Union wishes to make of it. The most significant challenge will obviously be financing these networks and infrastructure, which for the moment is at an embryonic stage.
Finally, these modes of transportation complement each other depending on their potential use, as well as the different distances.
For further informations:
- https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/fiche-pedagogique/hydrogene-energie
- https://www.terega.fr/nos-activites/hydrogene/transport-dhydrogene-comment-terega-organise-son-reseau/
