Belgian study looks at transporting hydrogen

Deme, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet are joining forces to produce a joint study which will focus on projects that shape the production, transport and storage of the gas.

Luc Vandenbulcke, chief executive of Deme, said, “We strongly believe that hydrogen can play a crucial role in the further CO2-free energy transition. Thanks to this unique partnership of ports and industry, Belgium can play a leading role in the green hydrogen economy and further reduce CO2 emissions.”

Bringing expertise together

Crucial to the viability of a hydrogen economy is the generation of sufficient renewable electricity to produce the gas. In Belgium there is not yet enough wind or solar energy which means that some of the renewable energy must be imported. However, transporting and storing hydrogen requires particular expertise.

The study comprises a year-long analysis of the hydrogen import and transport process with the aim of mapping the financial, technical and regulatory aspects of the entire logistics chain. The outcome of that analysis will be a roadmap indicating the best way to transport hydrogen for all applications in the energy and chemical sector. These results will then form the bridge to setting up concrete projects.