H2 connection planned for the Augsburg region

06.02.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Schwaben Netz and Bayernets are planning to connect the Augsburg region to the hydrogen core network. A high-pressure pipeline is to transport H2 from Wertingen to Augsburg from 2032.

Schwaben Netz, a subsidiary of regional supplier Energie Schwaben, and transmission system operator Bayernets are planning to connect the Augsburg region to the Bavarian and nationwide hydrogen core network. The planned transfer point is to be located in Wertingen, 30 kilometers northwest of Augsburg. According to the partners, the hydrogen is to be transported via a new high-pressure pipeline from 2032 and forwarded to bulk consumers.

From Wertingen, the pipeline will run east to Meitingen and then along the Lech river to Augsburg. There, the gas will be handed over to the network subsidiary of Stadtwerke Augsburg - "swa Netze", according to information from Swabia. This will then distribute the hydrogen via the distribution network level within the city to customers such as combined heat and power plants and industrial companies.

With the approval of the Germany-wide H2 core network in October last year, the transmission system operator Bayernets launched the "HyPipeBavaria" project. This southern German section of the network is intended to connect European import corridors with national production sites and transport hydrogen to Bavaria. The core network will be created using a combination of newly constructed and rededicated natural gas pipelines.

Hydrogen demand in the Augsburg region

According to market analyses carried out by gas network operators with the support of the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the demand for hydrogen in the Augsburg region will be high. Large-scale industry, SMEs and municipal companies are turning to hydrogen to decarbonize their processes.

Connecting the Augsburg region to the H2 core network will make an important contribution to a climate-neutral energy supply. At the same time, Schwaben Netz and Bayernets are working on converting other areas of the grid to hydrogen. These measures are part of the continuously updated Gas Grid Transformation Plan (GTP).

Rene Schoof, Managing Director of Schwaben Netz, adds: "Our distribution grids are 95 percent H2-ready, but we will need parallel infrastructures for a while. Energy demand will continue to rise. The new pipeline will secure the long-term supply." Christian Rose, Managing Director of swa Netze, sees potential for the municipal heat supply: "By connecting to the hydrogen core network, we can reduce the proportion of fossil fuels in heat generation."

Author: Davina Spohn