Zabala Innovation supports the PilgrHYm project by GRTgaz

The adoption of hydrogen as an energy vector represents a crucial challenge for the energy transition in Europe. One of the greatest challenges lies in its safe integration into the existing natural gas infrastructures. The PilgrHYm project, backed by a budget of €4 million and financed through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership of the Horizon Europe programme, aims to address this issue. After receiving support from Zabala Innovation, PilgrHYm tackles this challenge using a rigorous scientific approach.

Hydrogen is considered one of the fundamental elements to achieve carbon neutrality goals, particularly in sectors such as transport, industry, and households. In its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is betting on clean energy sources, and in this context, hydrogen plays a crucial role. However, for this energy source to be viable, it is essential to ensure its safe use. This is especially relevant when introducing hydrogen into infrastructures originally designed for other types of gases, necessitating assurance that these can transport hydrogen without risks.

The hydrogen industry already has extensive experience in handling this element in industrial environments, where strict safety standards have been applied for decades. However, this experience now needs to adapt to new areas of application, such as the integration of hydrogen into natural gas distribution networks, while respecting best practices and fostering a strengthened safety culture.

Regulatory challenges and the contribution of PilgrHYm

One of the biggest obstacles to the adoption of hydrogen in European natural gas networks lies in the existing regulations. Currently, the code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is used to regulate hydrogen pipelines, although it was not specifically designed for Europe. Due to the lack of suitable European standards for hydrogen, this framework is being relied upon, which may be overly conservative and impose excessive restrictions, potentially hindering the development of hydrogen.

It is in this context that PilgrHYm comes into play, a project coordinated by GRTgaz, the second gas transmission operator in Europe. Its objective is to develop an innovative solution to test the compatibility of the steels used in the European gas network. Through rigorous testing of representative samples, PilgrHYm project aims to identify the excessive safety margins imposed by the ASME code and propose adjustments that lead to the creation of more suitable European standards for hydrogen transport.

The PilgrHYm testing programme includes the evaluation of eight different types of steel, two types of welds, and two heat-affected zones. These materials have been carefully selected to represent the majority of gas infrastructures in Europe. The test results will provide quantified data on 78% of the European network, which could influence the review of existing regulations, reducing excessive conservatism while ensuring the safety and reliability of defect assessment methodologies.

PilgrHYm project and the collaboration with Zabala Innovation

The success of PilgrHYm project is based on the commitment of a strong and complementary consortium that brings together multidisciplinary experts. With extensive experience in key areas such as gas transport and storage, hydrogen embrittlement effects, and experimental testing in H2 environments, this consortium includes universities, research organisations, and major industries.

Additionally, the involvement of its International Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from leading European transport network operators, bolsters confidence in the project’s success. These experts contribute their experience and knowledge of gas transport infrastructures, ensuring that the solutions developed meet the actual needs of the sector. Their involvement also guarantees a rapid and effective implementation of the project’s results at scale.

“Supporting this consortium in the delivery of this innovative project has been an enriching experience. It is gratifying to witness its progress,” highlights Parisa-Louise Darzi, senior consultant at Zabala Innovation. “The potential impact of PilgrHYm on developing a safe, efficient, and flexible hydrogen network that integrates existing gas infrastructures in Europe opens up promising future prospects,” she concludes.