Slovak gas carrier EUSTREAM is preparing its network for the transport of renewable and low-carbon gases. The company is planning modifications to be technologically ready to mix up to 5% of hydrogen into its network by the end of 2023.

With the current transported volumes, this means that Slovakia will soon be ready to transport theoretically more than 2 Bm³ of hydrogen per year, and thus be able to satisfy the expected gradual increase of supply and demand for hydrogen.

"The goal of the development of our network was mainly the diversification of routes, which will be the task fulfilled after the completion of the last missing connection with Poland. In the new phase, our priority is to support climate ambitions and prepare the network for a low-carbon economy. The latest initiative will soon allow us to be technologically ready to transport hydrogen together with natural gas, up to five percent of the transported volume. We think that this could provide an important impetus for the development of hydrogen capacity in the region, " said EUSTREAM Director General Rastislav Ňukovič.

Blending hydrogen into natural gas is the first way to enable the transport and use of hydrogen in the existing gas network. This system has the potential, for example, to store excess energy produced from renewable sources.

EUSTREAM is also planning its own production of green hydrogen from renewable sources, which will be used to drive compressors and gradually decarbonize its own operation. The first pilot project is planned for the largest compressor station in Veľký Kapušany with a plan to start hydrogen production in 2023.

In addition, EUSTREAM is utilizing its advantage of the Slovak transmission network, which consists of several parallel gas pipelines connecting Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and starting in 2022, Poland. As part of the pan-European initiative of the European Hydrogen Backbone, the company plans to gradually divide part of the transmission network only for the cross-border transport of 100% hydrogen. Such a modernized corridor of several parallel pipelines will allow the combined transport of natural gas and hydrogen, depending on the actual development of demand and hydrogen capacity.