Energy Transformation Projects

H2 Infrastructure – Transmission Repurpose (H2I-TR)

On February 15, 2024, the European Commission has approved, under the EU State aid rules, a third Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the field of hydrogen technologies, with the aim of supporting hydrogen infrastructure. The H2I-TR project (IPCEI code SK04), of the EUSTREAM company, became part of this package of projects under the common name of IPCEI "Hy2Infra" together with other 32 projects from 7 EU Member States. The H2I-TR project´s  goal is to repurpose one of the 4 main transmission pipelines of EUSTREAM's transmission system connecting Ukraine in the East with the Austrian and Czech transmission systems in the West, which would enable a cost-effective way of transporting large volumes of pure hydrogen from/to Ukraine, from North Africa and from the Balkans as potential main centers of production and/or storage of green hydrogen towards consumer centers in Germany, Slovakia as well as in other parts of Europe. In line with the EU Hydrogen Strategy, significant hydrogen production is also expected beyond the EU borders, for example in Ukraine or North Africa. The goal of the project is to identify in detail and then carry out the steps necessary to ensure that the transmission system of EUSTREAM is ready for the transmission of renewable and low-carbon gases (hydrogen). The intention of the project is to enable the high-capacity pipeline transmission of pure hydrogen from 2030. The final transmission volumes will be defined on the basis of market demand and the technical capabilities of adjacent system operators. The modernized corridor of parallel pipelines of EUSTRAM's transmission system would thus enable the parallel transmission of natural gas and pure hydrogen as soon as sufficient capacities for hydrogen production and sufficient demand for this medium are in operation. In addition, the H2I–TR project would provide a basis for the possible further development of hydrogen infrastructure in Slovakia, with Hungary and possibly Poland. It is the new hydrogen infrastructure, including the EUSTREAM project, that is intended to serve the transportation of hydrogen to target markets. This is a project that is absolutely essential for the development of the hydrogen economy in Central and Eastern Europe. At the same time, it is the largest IPCEI of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, underscoring the strategic importance of the Slovak transmission system.

European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB)

EUSTREAM is part of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative, which aims to enable the future transport of hydrogen within the European Union. The EHB initiative, currently consisting of a group of 33 energy infrastructure operators, proposed an updated version of the creation of a hydrogen network with a total length of 53,000 km, which should connect 28 European countries after 2040, with the possibility of its further expansion. The Slovak part represents an important contribution to this initiative, enabling the future transport of hydrogen potentially supplied from sources in Ukraine, the Balkans and North Africa, as well as further cross-border transit flows. For the transport of pure hydrogen, we plan to allocate separate pipelines on the main transit corridor of the EUSTREAM transmission system.

Production of Green Hydrogen for Own Consumption

EUSTREAM plans to launch its own production of green hydrogen from renewable sources. We will use this green hydrogen as fuel to drive compressors, contributing to the decarbonisation of operations. We have prepared the first pilot project for the production of green hydrogen at the Veľké Kapušany compressor station with potential for expansion..

Production of Hydrogen from Natural Gas with CO2 Capture and Storage

IIn addition to preparing for the transmission of green hydrogen, EUSTREAM is evaluating in detail the possibilities of production of hydrogen in large quantities from imported natural gas – using the steam methane reforming (SMR) method with CO2 capture and subsequent permanent storage (CCS).