The Spanish (Enagás), French (GRTgaz and Teréga) and Portuguese (REN) Transmission System Operators have signed the initiative ‘Green2TSO’, aimed to transform the gas grid into hydrogen grid through open innovation.
The ‘Green2TSO’ project is aligned with the European Comission’s initiatives Green Deal, Fit for 55 and REPowerEU, underlining the role of European TSOs to become carriers of hydrogen as an efficient, safe and clean energy vector, using its large-scale infrastructure.
According to the CEO of Enagás, Arturo Gonzalo, "the collaboration of the TSOs also in the field of innovation is crucial for the development of renewable gases infrastructure in Europe”, and added that “this agreement fits perfectly with the common objective of the European Union to decarbonize the economy the economy and advance in energy independence, as stated in the European Strategy REPowerEU”. In addition, he stressed that “initiatives such as this will reinforce the necessary capacities for the development of Hydrogen Network Operator (HNO) activities".
In words of Thierry Trouve, CEO of GRTgaz, “strong collaboration on research and development between gas TSOs is key to accelerate the deployment of a safe, flexible, and cost-efficient Hydrogen grid. With our R&D Center, RICE (Research and Innovation Center for Energy), GRTgaz will provide high-skilled expertise and dedicated hydrogen facilities to drive and support the Green2TSO initiative towards the completion of the future European Hydrogen Backbone”.
Rodrigo Costa, Chairman and CEO of REN, has underlined that “This agreement is a very important step forward for the European energy transition.
This joint effort is fundamental for the widespread use of green hydrogen, in the fight against climate change and towards the decarbonisation of the economy”.
In this regard, Dominique Mockly, President and CEO of Teréga, has pointed out that “This Green2TSO initiative between four gas TSOs is definitely key to boost research and innovation in the field of hydrogen. This is an important step towards implementation of the future European Hydrogen Backbone in a context of decarbonization of the industry and means of transport.
In this context, the European Commission also supports Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) and Open Innovation as drivers for technological change, boosting cooperation between member states.
Through ‘Green2TSO’, this consortium will carry out pilot projects, technology tests and other tasks, in order to accelerate the transformation of the natural gas grid.
The Technology fields to be prioritised will be technologies for development of hydrogen detection and measurement systems, compression and above ground storage and alternatives for coating and cleaning of pipelines.
One project in the field of hydrogen detection and measurement led by ‘Green2TSO’ promoters, called ‘Green2TSO OPHTYCS’, has already been chosen by the European Commission to be co-funded.
