{"id":6627,"date":"2022-09-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fnb-gas.de\/hydrogen-network\/h2-report\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:33:33","slug":"recap","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fnb-gas.de\/en\/hydrogen-transport\/recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Recap: From vision to mission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Since January 2020, the TSOs have been actively working on the development of the German hydrogen network. Many of the earlier considerations and experiences have been incorporated into the planning and design of the hydrogen core network. The most important milestones to date at a glance: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Joint application of the TSOs for the hydrogen core network<\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
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FNB Gas e.V. submitted the joint application of the transmission system operators for the hydrogen core network to the Federal Network Agency on 22.07.2024. This represents a key milestone in the realization of the core network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key data of the hydrogen core network according to the application of 22.07.2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total length of the optimized core grid according to the application is 9,666 km. Of this, 802 km is accounted for by pipelines from 16 other potential hydrogen network operators (distribution network operators). The core network consists mainly of converted natural gas pipelines (approx. 60%). The investment costs amount to \u20ac 19.7 billion. The feed-in and feed-out capacities amount to around 100 GW and 87 GW respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core grid meets the targets set out in the EnWG for a nationwide, expandable, efficient, climate-friendly and rapidly realizable hydrogen grid by the target year 2032. In order to create more flexibility in the implementation of the projects, the EnWG also provides for the possibility of extending the timing of individual approved core grid measures if certain measures only prove necessary at a later date up to 2037. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core network puts Germany at the forefront of infrastructure development in Europe. It is the starting signal and the basis for the development of the hydrogen market. The TSOs are thus making an advance payment: the core network is the offer to the market, it comes for the market and continues to develop with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With the core network, we are creating a central prerequisite for the successful hydrogen ramp-up in Germany and thus for the decarbonization of industry and energy supply. It gives market participants the security they need to invest in the hydrogen economy and the transformation to climate neutrality. The hydrogen ramp-up is now a joint task for all market participants. <\/span><\/div>\n
Dr. Thomas G\u00f6\u00dfmann, Chairman of the Board FNB Gas<\/div>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

What are the next steps?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BNetzA has carried out a further two-week consultation until 06.08.2024. The core network is approved by the BNetzA no later than two months after submission of the application documents. After approval, the TSOs begin to build the core network. The first lines are to be converted to hydrogen as early as next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outlook: What still needs to be done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BNetzA will set the ramp-up fee in the second half of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the contractual arrangements for the provision and financing of the amortization account for the construction of a hydrogen core network still have to be drawn up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regulations also still need to be developed with regard to a market model for hydrogen, including the marketing of transport capacities. In addition, future market roles such as storage, particularly in the market ramp-up phase, have not yet been clarified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order for the market ramp-up to succeed overall, it is important that policymakers create reliable framework conditions for the hydrogen ramp-up on the generation and demand side. Another focus is on the further development of the core network in order to take additional requirements and locations into account as part of integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen (stage 2). The transformation of the distribution grids is also important for this in order to develop an area-wide hydrogen grid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Downloads<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Application for hydrogen core network (DE)<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 4 MB<\/div>\n
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Application for hydrogen core network (EN)<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 5 MB <\/div>\n
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Annex 1 – Project overview hydrogen core network<\/b><\/div>\n
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Annex 2 – Line reports from other potential hydrogen network operators<\/b><\/div>\n
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Annex 3 – List of measures for new construction of the FNB<\/b><\/div>\n
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Annex 4 – List of measures for the conversion of the FNB<\/b><\/div>\n
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XLSX \/ 87 kB<\/div>\n
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Annex 5 – List of natural gas enhancing measures of the TSOs<\/b><\/div>\n
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XLSX \/ 66 kB<\/div>\n
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Annex 6 – Detailed map of measures <\/b><\/div>\n
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Annex 6 – Detailed map of measures (supplement diff. new building conversion)<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 2 MB<\/div>\n
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Press release core network application<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 259 kB<\/div>\n
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Contact for FNB core network measures<\/b><\/div>\n
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XLSX \/ 70 kB<\/div>\n
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Hydrogen core network map<\/b><\/div>\n
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PNG \/ 2 MB<\/div>\n
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Hydrogen core network map <\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 419 kB<\/div>\n
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Draft application for the hydrogen core network<\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
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On November 15, 2023, FNB Gas e.V. submitted the draft application for the hydrogen core network to the Federal Network Agency and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. This marks the next milestone in the realization of the core network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key data of the hydrogen core network design<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The total length of the optimized core grid is around 9,700 km . Of this, 710 km is accounted for by pipelines from 17 other potential hydrogen network operators, which the TSOs received as part of the opportunity to comment on the first planning status by 28.7.2023. The core network consists mainly of converted natural gas pipelines (approx. 60%). The investment costs amount to \u20ac 19.8 billion \u20ac. The feed-in and feed-out capacities amount to around 100 GW and 87 GW respectively. The draft of the core grid thus fulfills the goals of a Germany-wide, expandable, efficient and quickly realizable hydrogen grid by the target year 2032, as set out in the EnWG amendment on the hydrogen core grid. This puts Germany at the forefront of infrastructure development in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the next steps?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Federal Network Agency consulted the FNB’s draft application via its website<\/a> until January 8, 2024 and then evaluated and reviewed the results of the consultation. The TSOs will take the results into account in their final joint application for the core grid in consultation with the BNetzA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The submission deadline for the joint application for the core network was set by the BNetzA in accordance with Art. \u00a7 Section 28q para. 2 sentence 2 EnWG initially refers to the May 21, 2024 extended. However, the EnWG stipulates that, insofar as the energy supply 10 and \u00a7 28s para. 6 EnWG has not been granted at the latest one week before the expiry of the extended application deadline, the BNetzA will extend the application deadline by a further month in each case. As this state aid approval from Brussels was not available by the deadline of May 14, 2024, the BNetzA initially postponed the deadline to May 14, 2024. June 21, 2024 and subsequently to the July 22, 2024 postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development of the hydrogen core network<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The hydrogen core network will be built up successively until 2032, starting with the first pipeline conversion in 2025. The planned commissioning of the annual expansion stages of the core network in the years up to 2032 can be seen in the following diagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Downloads<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Draft application H2 core network in German<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 995 kB<\/div>\n
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Draft application H2 core network (EN)<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 2 MB<\/div>\n
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Draft application H2 core network Press release<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 615 kB<\/div>\n
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Draft H2 core network map<\/b><\/div>\n
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Draft H2 core network map with logo<\/b><\/div>\n
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PNG \/ 2 MB<\/div>\n
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Appendix 1 Project overview<\/b><\/div>\n
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Excel \/ 178 kB<\/div>\n
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Appendix 2 List of measures for other H2 grid operators<\/b><\/div>\n
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Excel \/ 55 kB<\/div>\n
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Appendix 3 List of measures FNB<\/b><\/div>\n
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Excel \/ 132 kB<\/div>\n
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Appendix 4 Detailed map of measures<\/b><\/div>\n
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Planning status of the hydrogen core network<\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
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July 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 12, 2023, the transmission system operators published the planning status for a supraregional hydrogen core network by 2032. This planning status does not yet correspond to the final draft of the hydrogen core network. The route variants presented will be evaluated and optimized in subsequent steps, taking into account reports received as part of the “opportunity to comment” from potential hydrogen network operators. The pipelines shown have a length of around 11,200 km. The TSOs expect the hydrogen core network to be smaller after optimization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of 309 hydrogen projects were considered in the hydrogen core network scenario. The feed-in capacities for hydrogen total 101 GW. Other feeds include, in particular, imports via ship terminals where hydrogen transported in another form, such as LOHC or ammonia, is fed into the hydrogen grid as a gas. The core grid can provide 87 GW of exit power for hydrogen supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunity for network operators to comment by July 28<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Based on the published planning status for the hydrogen core network, operators of distribution networks, hydrogen network operators and operators of other pipeline infrastructures pursuant to \u00a7 28r para. 5 EnWG until July 28 to comment on and report further hydrogen infrastructures for the hydrogen core network. For the feedback to info@fnb-gas.de<\/a>, the TSOs have provided a corresponding form on<\/a> the website of the TSO Gas. Subsequently, the reported pipeline infrastructures are checked for their use in the planning of the hydrogen core network by the transmission system operators and taken into account in the final modeling, provided that they meet the legal and technical requirements for integration into the hydrogen core network and the infrastructure is necessary for the transport requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunity for other stakeholders to comment to BMWK by July 28.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The amendment to the EnWG provides for the central hydrogen sources (generation and import) to be connected to the main consumption centers and hydrogen storage facilities via a Germany-wide hydrogen core network. As a basis for this, a scenario was developed under the leadership of the BMWK and the BNetzA and coordinated with the TSOs, within the framework of which the modeling of the hydrogen core network takes place. Based on the current planning status, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection is also giving states, associations and other stakeholders until July 28 to comment on the development of a Germany-wide, efficient, quickly realizable and expandable hydrogen core network. This gives stakeholders – where necessary and in line with Section 28r (4) EnWG-E and the scenario – the opportunity to present arguments for the inclusion of further pipeline infrastructures in the hydrogen core network. Comments may be submitted to the following BMWK email address: WASSERSTOFFKERNNETZ@bmwk.bund.de<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core network as starting point for future integrated hydrogen network planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The hydrogen core network is the starting signal for the hydrogen ramp-up. It will cover the needs according to the criteria defined by law. Any additional requirements should be taken into account promptly in a second step as part of the future regulatory process for integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen. The TSOs had already submitted corresponding proposals in this regard in September 2022 with the publication of the hydrogen report<\/a> in accordance with Section 28p of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), which were drawn up jointly with the distribution system operators, among others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In an official FAQ<\/a>, the BMWK has already addressed and answered initial questions about the core network. To answer your questions, FNB invite industry representatives from companies and associations to a virtual hydrogen lunch at Microsoft Teams on July 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm. Please log on to info@fnb-gas.de<\/a>. You will then be sent the dial-up data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hydrogen core network as the first expansion stage forms the basic framework of the future hydrogen infrastructure. Following this, the processes for integrated gas network planning (hydrogen and natural gas) must now be anchored in law as quickly as possible so that future requirements for hydrogen can be incorporated into further network planning. As part of the interim report pursuant to Section 112b (1) sentence 2 EnWG(BT-Drucksache 20\/7915<\/a>) of July 27, the German government outlined initial proposals for a concept for the further development of the hydrogen network infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Downloads<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \n
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Planning status H2 core network<\/b><\/div>\n
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PDF \/ 2 MB<\/div>\n
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Planning status H2 core network Press release<\/b><\/div>\n
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Planning status H2 core network Map<\/b><\/div>\n
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Pipeline network infrastructure notification form<\/b><\/div>\n
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Hydrogen report<\/strong><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
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September 2022<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hydrogen report submitted on September 1, 2022 by the transmission system operators in accordance with the Energy Industry Act shows how the transport infrastructure can be developed efficiently, quickly and in a targeted manner by integrating hydrogen network planning into the proven gas network planning. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transmission system operators provide the Federal Network Agency and the legislature with twelve recommendations<\/a> that should be implemented this year. Only then can grid operators start building hydrogen grids and converting lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The focus of the recommendations was on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n