Czech GasNet joins forces with German Graforce in hydrogen production

Gas network group GasNet has joined forces with European leader in plasma-based hydrogen technologies, German company Graforce. The gas industry players signed a joint memorandum of understanding with their Berlin-based counterparts to cooperate on hydrogen production using plasma pyrolysis. This offers a way to produce clean hydrogen from available feedstocks at a competitive price.

GasNet has been preparing its distribution network for the transition to low-emission hydrogen for a long time. Its pipelines are already capable of distributing a 20% blend of hydrogen and natural gas. But GasNet is at the forefront of the green transformation of the entire gas and energy market, and is also addressing the production and consumption of low-emission gases.

“There is little affordable hydrogen on the Czech market. We want to kick-start its wider production. Under current conditions in the Czech Republic, green hydrogen production is not yet competitive. Producing hydrogen innovatively through pyrolysis, in synergy with the use of gas infrastructure, will make it possible to produce hydrogen at less than half the cost of green hydrogen produced in the Czech Republic using conventional methods. This is good news especially for the transport sector, but also for industry and district heating,” explains Martin Gebauer, CEO of the GasNet group.

Hydrogen can be produced through pyrolysis from gases and feedstocks available in the Czech Republic, such as natural gas or even ammonia. Biomethane is also an option, and its production in the Czech Republic continues to grow. Producing hydrogen from mine gas is another interesting possibility: an environmental liability that was once problematic can be transformed into a low-emission gas for use in industrial production or the energy sector.

“Our goal is to be an integral part of the decarbonisation of the Czech Republic. Cooperation with Graforce, one of Europe’s leading companies, opens up new horizons for us in low-emission gas production. The memorandum is a springboard for integrating this unique technology into our own plasmolysis unit,” adds Thomas Merker, CFO of the GasNet group.

GasNet plans to use electricity from renewable sources in its hydrogen production. Pyrolysis does not require water as an input, which also saves this precious resource. Pyrolysis technology could enable GasNet to produce clean hydrogen at an affordable price for customers in the energy and raw materials industries. Hydrogen produced this way could also be widely used in transport, particularly heavy-duty freight transport. This is a sector that would otherwise be very difficult and complex to decarbonise.

Hydrogen produced through pyrolysis is important, among other things, for the petrochemical and heavy industries, which are looking for sustainable ways to produce goods. It is a fast way to obtain large quantities of hydrogen now. The Czech industry cannot do without gas. This will remain true in the future, when the gas used in district heating, industry and electricity generation will also have to be low-emission. Greater use of hydrogen is the solution.

“We are delighted to have entered into this strategic partnership with the GasNet group. It enables us to bring unique technology for producing zero-emission hydrogen through plasma pyrolysis to the Czech market. We believe that sharing expertise and our common vision for decarbonising the economy will enable a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean hydrogen,” says Dr Jens Hanke, CEO of Graforce.

Alongside producing affordable hydrogen itself, GasNet is preparing projects to inject hydrogen into the local network, as well as its own research test site. The distributor’s main goal, however, is to adapt its network so that it can also distribute 100% pure hydrogen in the future.