Austria converts first gas pipeline to carry pure hydrogen

Austria’s first existing natural gas pipeline to be fully converted to carry 100 percent hydrogen has entered full operation in Gabersdorf, a municipality in southern Styria, ORF Steiermark reports. The conversion was also approved under the Gas Industry Act.

The pilot project by energy provider Energie Steiermark is testing how existing gas infrastructure can be used for hydrogen under real operating conditions, as an alternative to building new pipelines.

Energie Steiermark board member Martin Graf said adapting existing lines could save money and speed the shift away from fossil natural gas. He said many pipelines could be technically adapted, though investment would be needed.

At the PUREA company in Gabersdorf, gas equipment has also been converted. It will now operate with a 10 percent hydrogen blend, and technical preparations for a 20 percent share are complete.

Styria plans to build a hydrogen network more than 200 kilometres long in the coming years, targeting energy-intensive industry. Graf said the network would serve industrial centres, particularly the Mur and Mürz valleys.

Energienetze Steiermark is currently building a new hydrogen-compatible pipeline between Bruck an der Mur and St Michael/Traboch. It is intended to become part of Styria’s future hydrogen core network and help connect local industrial sites to international hydrogen sources.