The largest Czech gas distributor, GasNet, is counting on the increasingly intensive use of hydrogen in the future. The way to this is also opened by domestic legislation - an amendment to the Energy Act in January introduced hydrogen among the gases that can be distributed through the gas system. GasNet has also become a member of the Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster.
"Europe is on the path to decarbonisation. It wants to become climate neutral in 2050 and we welcome this direction. Our plan is to gradually replace natural gas with hydrogen. It is clean and renewable energy. Moreover, it is a gas that is a great medium for storing and transmitting it," says Alexander Lužný, who heads the innovation department at GasNet.
The Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem and Moravian-Silesian regions signed a joint hydrogen memorandum last year. GasNet is already preparing its own hydrogen projects in all three regions, which are among the leaders of the hydrogen revolution in the Czech Republic. Whether it is the planned connection of hydrogen production plants to distribution pipelines or pilot projects to inject hydrogen into the natural gas distribution network.
The Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster brings together representatives of the region, universities and private companies. Its strategic goal is to create a functioning economic system of hydrogen production and distribution chain in the region within 10 years. The transformation of the coal region into a hydrogen valley focuses mainly on transport, but also on industry and heating. This is where, according to GasNet, the readiness of the distribution system is crucial - it is necessary to get the hydrogen from the production plant to the point of consumption.
"Currently, in cooperation with other cluster members, we are preparing two projects in the Moravian-Silesian region that concern local production of hydrogen and its subsequent blending with natural gas in the distribution network," adds Alexander Lužný from GasNet.
"Hydrogen is indispensable for the economy"
Hydrogen plays a key role in the long-term strategy of the largest gas distributor. It represents a green and renewable form of the Czech gas industry, he says. "The Czech energy sector cannot do without gas. Due to its properties, this gas is indispensable for the Czech industry and thus for the entire Czech economy," GasNet representatives mention.
"Hydrogen is now (thanks to an amendment to the Energy Act - ed.) placed in the same legal framework as natural gas. This is a clear signal from the state to all players on the market that hydrogen is being considered and that it is possible to start making more significant investments in the use of this low-emission gas, which we simply cannot do without in the long term," says Pavel Dočekal, who is responsible for legislative matters at GasNet.
GasNet has been investing in the modernisation of its entire gas network for a long time. As a result, it can already handle the distribution of 20% of the hydrogen content in natural gas. In the future, however, it wants to reach 100% and replace natural gas completely with hydrogen. The largest Czech distributor is already preparing the connection process for hydrogen production plants.
