Voerde-Walsum hydrogen pipeline

The construction of a new H2 pipeline involves temporary construction work. Unfortunately, construction site noise and traffic restrictions cannot be completely avoided at this time. Dialogue and exchange with the residents of affected communities are an elementary component of all construction projects for us, which is why we provide information on the current status of the project at regular intervals from the early planning phase onwards. Once recultivation has been completed, only individual fittings can be seen along the route of the pipeline and our colleagues are regularly on site for maintenance, otherwise the pipeline is no longer visible.

With our H2 pipeline network, we are connecting the region to the future hydrogen motorways in Germany. Municipalities, industry and SMEs thus gain an H2 supply perspective and the opportunity to organise energy-intensive processes sustainably with the help of hydrogen.

Interested municipalities and companies can use our contact form to report their requirements for hydrogen feed-in or feed-out at any time. We will then check the possibility of a connection to our H2 infrastructure.

Municipalities also play a central role in our project beyond the H2 supply. After all, they are important partners for the successful realisation of the project. This is why we seek dialogue shortly after the start of the project in order to develop the best solution together with local stakeholders and those affected.

The search for the optimal route for a power line takes place in several steps. Firstly, route corridors approximately 600 metres wide are developed based on an analysis of the area (based on geodata, land use data, aerial photographs, inspections, etc.). These corridors are then the subject of the spatial impact assessment, at the end of which the competent authority determines the most suitable corridor in an expert opinion.

Various route options are then developed - i.e. different routes that a new H2 pipeline could take within the corridor. In addition to the operational requirements, an initial assessment of the interactions with protected assets (e.g. animals, landscape, water bodies) takes centre stage. A so-called preferred option with an approx. 80 metre wide route corridor is then created by weighing up the various options. As part of the planning approval procedure, the competent authority then decides whether to approve or modify the route.

For a conversion, the strict regulations of the Energy Industry Act and the Ordinance on High-Pressure Gas Pipelines must be complied with. The same high safety standards apply to H2 pipelines as to natural gas pipelines. Each pipeline is checked in advance by an independent expert to ensure that it is suitable for hydrogen. Specific measures that must be carried out before the changeover are recorded (e.g. technical adjustments, measurement of the pressure curve, adjustment of maintenance intervals for leak checks). Before the pipeline is commissioned, it is then approved by an independent expert. Our colleagues from the network control centres then take over and ensure safe operation through regular inspections and maintenance.

Once all the necessary authorisations have been obtained and the affected parties have been informed, the preparatory measures for construction begin (e.g. route clearance). The next step is the creation of the construction strip along the route (width: approx. 40 metres) and the excavation of the pipeline trench. We take particular care to separate the soil types precisely so that the areas can be recultivated once the construction work is complete.

Various methods can be used when laying the pipes, depending on the project, terrain and soil. The pipeline is then covered with at least one metre of soil. Once the construction work is complete, all that remains of the approx. 40 metre wide construction strip is the two to six metre wide protective strip to the right and left of the pipeline, which must remain freely accessible for maintenance.

At the same time as the technical acceptance, the recultivation of the areas affected will begin.

Hydrogen is gaseous and can be stored in the same way as natural gas and transported to consumers in gas pipelines. Thyssengas already has an extensive network with around 4,400 kilometres of pipeline. Converting existing pipelines for H2 transport is sustainable and involves less interference with nature and the environment. Of course, conversion is also faster, as pipeline routes no longer need to be developed and authorised.

The planning approval procedure (PFV) is an authorisation procedure for pipeline construction projects. In addition to examining the environmental impact of a project, an essential part of the planning approval procedure is the participation of the affected public. After weighing up all the concerns and objections submitted during the procedure, the authority decides whether the construction and operation of a gas pipeline will be authorised. The district governments in North Rhine-Westphalia and the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology in Lower Saxony are responsible for carrying out the PIA for gas pipeline construction projects, including public participation.

For us, proactive information and dialogue are an integral part of all pipeline construction projects. From the early planning phase onwards, we inform all those affected about the current status of the project at regular intervals - for example via press releases and on our website. Our on-site dialogue and information events also offer the opportunity to enter into a direct exchange with us and ask questions about the project.

No, the transport of hydrogen via pipelines is a proven and safe technology. The same high safety standards apply to H2 pipelines as to natural gas pipelines. Thyssengas has over 100 years of experience in gas transport and is continuously developing proven control and maintenance processes. Safety is always our top priority - this applies to the construction, operation and maintenance of our pipelines.

Whether natural gas or hydrogen. Our pipelines are monitored 365 days a year. The experts in the network control centres are on duty around the clock, checking the pipelines, organising maintenance and coordinating construction measures in the catchment area of our pipeline network. Regular inspections and aerial surveys of the routes ensure additional safety.

No, the transport of hydrogen via pipelines is a proven and safe technology. For a conversion, the strict regulations of the Energy Industry Act and the Ordinance on High-Pressure Gas Pipelines must be complied with. The same high safety standards apply to H2 pipelines as to natural gas pipelines.

Each pipeline is checked in advance by an independent expert to ensure that it is suitable for hydrogen. Specific measures are defined that must be implemented before a pipeline is converted and are reviewed by an expert before the pipeline is commissioned.

For the construction of the pipeline, a construction strip up to 40 metres wide will be created along the route. The measures required for this, such as earthworks and tree felling, are part of the approval process in advance. Once the work has been completed, the construction strip will be recultivated. A protective strip between two and six metres wide will remain to the right and left of the pipeline, but this can be used for agricultural purposes without any restrictions.

During the construction work, the areas affected by the construction work cannot be used for agricultural purposes. Any damage incurred (e.g. crop failure) will of course be reimbursed. After recultivation, normal agricultural use can be resumed immediately. The permissible cultivation depth of the field / field in the protective strip to the right and left of the pipeline is generally up to 60 centimetres.

Authorisation for the construction of a pipeline is granted as part of the planning approval procedure (PFV). The district governments in North Rhine-Westphalia and the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology in Lower Saxony are responsible for carrying out the planning approval procedure for gas pipeline construction projects, including public participation.
For pipelines with a diameter of more than 30 centimetres and with a length relevant to spatial planning, the spatial impact assessment takes place before the planning approval procedure. The respective district governments are responsible for carrying this out.