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

"The topic of hydrogen transportation and storage 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 built for other types of energy resources and today needs new technologies taking into account this optimistic outlook for hydrogen economy. However, there are no more problematic issues than in hydrogen production and use", said Valerii Bezus, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine.

"One of the advantages in developing hydrogen energy in Ukraine is constantly mentioned wide gas transportation system, gas storage facilities. However, their use for hydrogen transportation and storage must be analyzed in detail", stressed Valerii Bezus.

Representatives of Naftogaz of Ukraine, Ukrtransgaz,  GTS Operator of Ukraine, Gas Institute, E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute, Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Ukrainian Chemists Union agreed with the need to continue studying these issues.

"Naftogaz has an ambition to become the largest producer of hydrogen in Ukraine. We had a lot of work to do last year to develop the hydrogen economy. Globally this direction remains promising: the high price of gas in the world stimulates developing hydrogen projects", said Oleksii Riabchyn, Adviser to the CEO of NJSС “Naftogaz of Ukraine” on developing low-carbon businesses and the EU's green deal.

The Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine is also considering the issue of hydrogen transportation in its own strategy.

"We are going to systematically explore the possibility of using our facilities to transport a mixture of hydrogen and gas and pure hydrogen in general," said M. Kadensky. He is also convinced that the approach of industrial clusters must be used to launch this sector.

Ukrtransgaz, in turn, is studying ways to store hydrogen: using existing gas storage facilities or creating new infrastructure. There is great potential for this. After all, Ukraine has the third largest gas storage facilities in the world.

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

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

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

"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 hydrogen economy components. Therefore, we are working on further steps, including legislation, pilot projects that should stimulate hydrogen economy creation", concluded Valerii Bezus.

Communication and PR Department