GasNet prepares its first hydrogen town in the Czech Republic

GasNet Group, the Czech Republic’s largest gas distributor, is working on a hydrogen town project in the country. Hranice near Aš in the Karlovy Vary Region is set to become the first municipality where GasNet will distribute a blend of natural gas and hydrogen through its gas pipelines. The aim is to gradually blend up to 10 % hydrogen produced from renewable sources in the vicinity of the town into natural gas.

“As the domestic leader in gas distribution, we are aware of our responsibility to play a key role in the transformation of the Czech energy sector.In the Czech Republic’s conditions, decarbonisation without gas is not possible. As coal is phased out, natural gas will play a key role as a transitional fuel towards low-carbon and renewable energy sources. We are therefore working in the long term to ensure that we can use our gas infrastructure in the future to distribute low- and zero-emission gases such as biomethane and hydrogen,” says Martin Gebauer, CEO of GasNet Group, adding: “With the project in Hranice, we want to show that it can be done. We will give the green and low-emission future of the gas industry a real practical form. I believe this will be a historic milestone that will mark the beginning of the hydrogen revolution in the Czech Republic. Just as we switched from town gas to natural gas in the past, we want to gradually move from natural gas to green and renewable gases.”

GasNet has already inspected all gas-consuming equipment in the town, such as gas boilers and cookers, in cooperation with the Engineering Test Institute, to verify that customers’ gas appliances are in good condition. Little will change for their owners, as a hydrogen blend of up to 20% in natural gas has virtually the same properties as pure natural gas, and appliances do not need to be replaced or modified.

The distribution network operated by GasNet in Hranice is also ready. The town has one of the youngest, and therefore most modern, gas distribution systems in the Czech Republic. Materials capable of distributing hydrogen were already used in its construction.

Through its partner company APOKS (Association for the Optimisation of Chimneys and Combustion), gas industry representatives also had the condition of flue systems and chimneys inspected. The inspection was also supported by the Karlovy Vary Region.

“We are striving to make the Karlovy Vary Region a leader of the hydrogen revolution in the Czech Republic. Last April, together with the Ústí and Moravian-Silesian regions, we therefore signed a Hydrogen Memorandum, in which we committed ourselves to supporting the use of hydrogen, both in promoting the application of hydrogen technologies and in coordinating the development of the so-called hydrogen valleys concept. At the same time, we are seeking the most suitable possible framework for European and Czech legislation so that the development of hydrogen production, distribution and consumption is possible not only in coal regions. The use of hydrogen in gas distribution and energy in general will contribute to a significant reduction in emissions,” explains Petr Kulhánek, Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region.

Green hydrogen will cut emissions and strengthen energy security

There are around 350 supply points in Hranice. These are not only households that use gas for heating and cooking. The town also has industrial companies that use gas in their manufacturing processes. The gas blend will not affect this production either.

“Hydrogen will be produced in Hranice from local renewable sources, namely local wind turbines and the photovoltaic facilities of Farma Trojmezí. Green hydrogen will be fully renewable and produced directly at the point of consumption. This will help reduce emissions and strengthen energy self-sufficiency,” adds Martin Gebauer.

GasNet Group is currently building a hydrogen production pipeline in Hranice and preparing a site for blending equipment. At the production facility, Farma Trojmezí is carrying out intensive construction work related to the installation of an electrolyser and hydrogen storage tanks. The project is expected to be launched and commissioned no later than the first half of next year.

Hydrogen in Czech legislation and strategic documents

An amendment to the Energy Act effective from 1 January this year included hydrogen among the gases that can be distributed to customers through the public gas network for the first time in the history of the Czech Republic. Hydrogen is placed within the same legal framework as natural gas. Legislation now allows the distribution not only of blends of natural gas and hydrogen, but also of 100% pure hydrogen.

The future importance and key role of hydrogen was also confirmed by the Czech government at its meeting yesterday, when it approved an updated version of the Hydrogen Strategy. The document clearly shows that hydrogen will benefit not only industry, the gas sector and energy, but the entire domestic economy and society.