Resources
Where the gaps are – Distribution of hydrogen from the point of production to the end-use is the most overlooked aspect in the entire value chain (our opinion… but it is also a fact) – but a close second (maybe 1B?) is the need for onsite storage at production and end-use facilities.
So, you are a hydrogen developer looking to produce renewable hydrogen from electrolysis in this emerging market? Great! Welcome to the industry – we have lots to discuss: storage, compression, off-take agreements, grid connection vs. islanding, lead times, costs, scaling the system over time, balance of plant, operations and maintenance, materials compatibility, siting and approvals, C&S, etc. but let's not get bogged down in those details yet. Let's just start with the basics - where are you going to put your systems?
Due to the critical infrastructure that pipelines provide to modern society, system reliability is of critical importance regardless of the pipeline materials and construction methods used. A broad range of pipeline inspection and health monitoring solutions exist, including direct inspection using cameras, smart In-line Inspection tools (PIGS), and dynamic models that aim to capture upset pipeline conditions with traditional instrumentation.
Flashback to 2019 when I (Mike) was working at NREL and starting to piece together a group of stakeholders to discuss hydrogen blending in the natural gas network. The task was handed to me by someone that knew hydrogen blending was going to be a hot topic within the industry but didn’t know enough not to put me in charge of such an important initiative.
So, you are a hydrogen developer looking to produce renewable hydrogen from electrolysis in this emerging market? Great! Welcome to the industry – we have lots to discuss: storage, compression, off-take agreements, grid connection vs. islanding, lead times, costs, scaling the system over time, balance of plant, operations and maintenance, materials compatibility, siting and approvals, C&S, etc. but let's not get bogged down in those details yet. Let's just start with the basics - where are you going to put your systems?
Where the gaps are – Distribution of hydrogen from the point of production to the end-use is the most overlooked aspect in the entire value chain (our opinion… but it is also a fact) – but a close second (maybe 1B?) is the need for onsite storage at production and end-use facilities.