- This initiative, called ‘Green2TSO’, is led by Spanish, French and Portuguese Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and is driven through Open Innovation
- The project aims to incorporate new technologies to allow the hydrogen development in the transport grid
- It is aligned with the European Comission’s objectives to boost European TSOs as carriers of an efficient, safe and clean energy vector using our large-scale infrastructure
According to the company’s website news release on March 6, 2023, the Spanish (Enagás), French (GRTgaz and Teréga) and Portuguese (REN) Transmission System Operators have signed the initiative ‘Green2TSO’, aimed to transform the gas grid into hydrogen grid through open innovation.
The ‘Green2TSO’ project is aligned with the European Comission’s initiatives Green Deal, Fit for 55 and REPowerEU, underlining the role of European TSOs to become carriers of hydrogen as an efficient, safe and clean energy vector, using its large-scale infrastructure.
According to the CEO of Enagás, Arturo Gonzalo, “the collaboration of the TSOs also in the field of innovation is crucial for the development of renewable gases infrastructure in Europe”, and added that “this agreement fits perfectly with the common objective of the European Union to decarbonize the economy the economy and advance in energy independence, as stated in the European Strategy REPowerEU”. In addition, he stressed that “initiatives such as this will reinforce the necessary capacities for the development of Hydrogen Network Operator (HNO) activities”.
In words of Thierry Trouve, CEO of GRTgaz, “strong collaboration on research and development between gas TSOs is key to accelerate the deployment of a safe, flexible, and cost-efficient Hydrogen grid. With our R&D Center, RICE (Research and Innovation Center for Energy), GRTgaz will provide high-skilled expertise and dedicated hydrogen facilities to drive and support the Green2TSO initiative towards the completion of the future European Hydrogen Backbone”.
Rodrigo Costa, Chairman and CEO of REN, has underlined that “This agreement is a very important step forward for the European energy transition. This joint effort is fundamental for the widespread use of green hydrogen, in the fight against climate change and towards the decarbonisation of the economy”.
In this regard, Dominique Mockly, President and CEO of Teréga, has pointed out that “This Green2TSO initiative between four gas TSOs is definitely key to boost research and innovation in the field of hydrogen. This is an important step towards implementation of the future European Hydrogen Backbone in a context of decarbonization of the industry and means of transport.
In this context, the European Commission also supports Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) and Open Innovation as drivers for technological change, boosting cooperation between member states.
Through ‘Green2TSO’, this consortium will carry out pilot projects, technology tests and other tasks, in order to accelerate the transformation of the natural gas grid.
The Technology fields to be prioritised will be technologies for development of hydrogen detection and measurement systems, compression and above ground storage and alternatives for coating and cleaning of pipelines.
One project in the field of hydrogen detection and measurement led by ‘Green2TSO’ promoters, called ‘Green2TSO OPHTYCS’, has already been chosen by the European Commission to be co-funded.
About the companies promoting
Enagás is a European TSO (Transmission System Operator) with 50 years’ experience in the development, operation and maintenance of energetic infrastructures. Enagás has over 12,000 kilometres of gas pipelines, three underground storage facilities and eight regasification terminals —four of which are wholly owned by Enagás and four others with relevant shareholding—. The company operates in seven countries: Spain, United States, Mexico, Peru, Albania, Greece and Italy. Enagás is the Technical Manager of the Gas System in Spain. In accordance with the commitment to the energy transition, Enagás has announced its target to be carbon neutral by 2040. Enagás is committed to decarbonisation and the promotion of renewable gases, especially hydrogen, and is the Spanish company promoting the H2MED corridor, together with the TSOs from France and Portugal, as well as the first axes of the Hydrogen Backbone Network of Spain. Its affiliate Enagás Emprende is the Enagás Corporate Venturing for the investment and acceleration of startups and innovative technologies in the field of energy transition.
GRTgaz is a European leader in the transportation of gas and a world expert in gas systems. In France, the company operates over 20,000 miles of pipelines to transport gas from suppliers to the consumers connected to its network including public distribution managers who serve municipalities, power plants and over 700 industrial sites. With its subsidiaries Elengy, a leader in LNG terminal services in Europe, and GRTgaz Deutschland, an operator of the MEGAL transport network in Germany, GRTgaz plays a key role on the European gas infrastructure scene. It exports its knowhow internationally, thanks in large part to the services developed by its research center, RICE (Research and Innovation Center for Energy). GRTgaz is committed to develop an open access hydrogen infrastructure in France in the perspective of the European Hydrogen Backbone.
REN Gás is the company of REN Group that ensures the promotion, development and management of projects and undertakings in the Portuguese gas sector, as well as defining the global strategy and coordinating the companies in which it has a stake.
Teréga is specialized in the operation and development of natural gas transmission and storage infrastructures in the South West of France. Teréga operates 5.100 km of pipelines and 24,5% of French gas storage capacity. Today, Teréga continues to develop innovative solutions to overcome the major energy challenges faced by France and Europe and, as part of it, is actively involved in projects serving the development and roll-out of future hydrogen infrastructures.
