100 percent hydrogen in the natural gas grid

24.02.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Netze BW is testing the heating transition with hydrogen: 100% of the company's properties are supplied with the green hope via the natural gas network.

Natural gas out, hydrogen in: Netze BW will be heating its administration and training building in Öhringen, west of Heilbronn, with green energy in future. According to the network operator, the trial project called "NETZlabor H2-100" will demonstrate that "safe and reliable operation" with 100 percent hydrogen is possible in the 2025 heating period.

"The gas distribution networks will still be needed," emphasizes Netze BW. The Stuttgart-based company assumes "that the gradual conversion to 100 percent hydrogen in Baden-Württemberg will begin in the early 2030s".

The pipelines in Öhringen are already "H2-ready", connection devices and measuring equipment still need to be adapted, it says. A forced-air gas burner of the type typically used in commercial buildings is to be used in one of the buildings. Condensing boilers are planned for the other building.

The new project follows on from the "Öhringen hydrogen island". In the previous project, Netze BW fed up to 30 percent hydrogen into the natural gas distribution network and tested the technology with local residents.

Author: Manfred Fischer