THE potential for exporting green hydrogen via a pipeline linking Scotland to Germany has been explored in a new report.
Commissioned by Crown Estate Scotland and produced by global energy consultants Xodus Group, the report examined the potential for hydrogen produced by Scotland’s renewable electricity sector.
It is thought that Scotland's energy sector has the potential to produce enough hydrogen to help both the UK and the EU meet net-zero goals.
The report sets out what infrastructure would be needed for the transportation of green hydrogen at scale, and the different commercial models that could be used to fund, own, and operate it.
The report uses a range of scenarios for Scotland’s potential future hydrogen generation, with a focus on ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil & Gas offshore wind projects, which might dedicate some of their output to producing both blue and green hydrogen.
Blue hydrogen is created with natural gas, with the associated greenhouse gases being captured and then stored.
However, green hydrogen uses renewable energy to split water via electrolysis and doesn’t produce CO2 as a by-product.
The report explores the opportunities afforded by an indicative trunk pipeline connecting Scotland to Germany, with feed-in pipelines from key locations in Shetland, Orkney, Cromarty Firth and St Fergus.
Options for transporting hydrogen via domestic gas networks and exporting it to Europe by ship are also discussed.
Options for hydrogen transportation injection into domestic gas networks or storage as well as export to mainland Europe by ship or pipeline.
The report also explores the opportunities afforded by an indicative trunk pipeline connecting Scotland to Germany, with feed-in pipelines from key locations in Shetland, Orkney, Cromarty Firth, and St Fergus.
The pipeline to Germany concept – detailed in a recent report by the Net Zero Technology Centre’s (NZTC) Hydrogen Backbone Link project – highlights the wider aspirations of work being undertaken by NZTC and shows the role that hydrogen could play in helping the UK meet its climate objectives.
Ben Miller, development manager with Crown Estate Scotland, said: “Green hydrogen has the potential to play a huge role in decarbonising key industries across Europe, and there is a clear opportunity for Scotland to contribute with our growing offshore renewables sector.
“This report sets out various options and models for funding, owning, and operating large-scale infrastructure to facilitate the hydrogen sector, and highlights the challenges that would need to be overcome in order to transport hydrogen at scale.
“We look forward to collaborating with industry and government to help unlock the benefits of green hydrogen for Scotland.”
The report calls on the Scottish Government and wider public sector to increase the international visibility of export pipeline potential in Scotland and establish timing for when hydrogen will start being produced by offshore wind projects.
