French-German RHYn HYdrogen Network Study

ongoing

Projects RHYn in France and RHYn Interco in Germany aim at interconnecting future hydrogen infrastructure, producers and consumers between France and Germany by mainly repurposing methane infrastructure. The aim of the overall project is to create the first cross-border hydrogen networks in the Upper Rhine Region, consisting of repurposed and new pipelines. The current RHYn STUDY completes the technical design and studies of two hydrogen infrastructure projects: RHYn (Rhine Hydrogen Network, by TSO NaTran) and RHYn Interco (RHYn Interconnection, by TSO terranets bw) in the French and German parts of the Upper Rhine Region. The RHYn project includes NaTran sections from Fessenheim to Ottmarsheim, Ottmarsheim to Saint-Louis, and an interconnection with Germany in the Blodelsheim area. While terranets sections cover French-German interconnection point (connecting to RHYn section 4) to Tunsel, and from Tunsel to Freiburg im Breisgau. This project encompasses technical design, permitting activities, and socio-economic and financial assessments, increasing the technical, administrative, and financial maturity to the level required for a final investment decision (FID). By combining the studies of both projects, RHYn STUDY achieves an optimal cost-benefit balance for the complete network, maximum interoperability, cross-border effects, harmonization between France and Germany, and incentivizes cross-border collaborations in other hydrogen projects. By connecting French hydrogen producers with industrial users in France and Germany, RHYn/RHYn Interco contributes to decarbonising hard-to-abate industry and paves the way for green transport applications. The network is ideally situated to extend along the Upper Rhine to supply additional French and German users, and to extend along the High Rhine to supply German and Swiss users. The network will have the capacity to transmit >102,000 t/y with the potential to avert ~1 million t/y of CO2 emissions. The RHYn/RHYn Interco network is a vital linking pin in the European Hydrogen Backbone and contributes to a competitive hydrogen market. This market is essential to achieve EU energy security and resilience, and climate and energy targets.