GASCADE, Gasunie, RWE and Shell have signed a declaration of intent regarding collaboration on the AquaDuctus project, a pipeline that would transport up to a million tonnes of green hydrogen annually
The pipeline would transport green hydrogen to the continent and is part of the AquaVentus initiative, a plan to install 10 GW of electrolysis capacity for green hydrogen in the North Sea The electricity needed to power the electrolysers would come from offshore windfarms.
In a statement, the project partners noted that, compared to transmitting electricity generated offshore using cables, a pipeline for green hydrogen would have “clear economic advantages.”
The pipeline would replace five high voltage direct current transmission systems that would otherwise have to be built. “It is by far the most cost-effective option for transporting large volumes of energy over distances of more than 400 km,” the project partners said.
The first step in the AquaDuctus project will be to carry out a detailed feasibility study. AquaDuctus is also participating in the Important Projects of Common European Interest process run by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
RWE, Shell, GASCADE and Gasunie believe the pipeline could be in operation by 2035.
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