Ukraine : State Energy Efficiency: Hydrogen Transportation and Storage Systems - Key Strategic Components of the Hydrogen Economy Development

The logistical issues of hydrogen energy were discussed by the participants of the next discussion initiated by the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and the Energy Club.

"The topic of transportation and storage of hydrogen is perhaps the most difficult given the many features of this energy source, primarily its physical and chemical characteristics. In addition, the modern economy has been rebuilt for other types of energy resources and today needs new technologies given this optimistic outlook for the hydrogen economy. However, there are no more problematic issues than in the production and use of hydrogen, "said Valery Bezus, Head of the State Agency for Energy Efficiency.

"One of the advantages of Ukraine in the development of hydrogen energy is constantly mentioned wide gas transportation system, the availability of gas storage facilities. However, the issue of their use for transportation and storage of hydrogen must be worked out in detail, "the Chairman stressed.

Representatives of Naftogaz of Ukraine, Ukrtransgaz, the GTS Operator of Ukraine, the Gas Institute, and the Institute of Electric Welding agreed with the need to continue studying these issues. EA Paton, Institute of Physics and Mechanics. G.V. Karpenko National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Union of Chemists of Ukraine.

"Naftogaz reserves the ambition to become the largest producer of hydrogen in Ukraine. Last year we had a lot of work to do to develop the hydrogen economy. This trend remains promising in the world: the high price of gas in the world stimulates the development of hydrogen projects, "said Oleksiy Ryabchyn, Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy on the development of low-carbon businesses and the EU's green exchange rate.

Ukrtransgaz, in turn, is studying ways to store hydrogen: the use of existing gas storage facilities or the development of new infrastructure. There is great potential for this. After all, Ukraine has gas storage facilities, which rank third in the world in terms of volume.

"In addition, we must analyze industrial safety, the necessary regulatory framework, the geography of logistics corridors, the impact of hydrogen on the physical condition of storage facilities," added Roman Malyutin, head of the technical department of Ukrtransgaz.

Scientists spoke about the conducted experimental studies of the possibilities of using the existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen transportation and their results. They paid special attention to the issue of loss of strength of pipelines when transporting hydrogen.

In general, the participants in the discussion agreed on the need to further consolidate efforts, especially of scientists, and develop steps to develop this new field.

"We need to win our independence not only on the battlefield, but also to consolidate our place in the global economy, which is likely to be based on components of the hydrogen economy. Therefore, we are working on further steps, including legislation, pilot projects that should stimulate the development of the hydrogen economy, "Valery Bezus concluded.