Key Takeaways:
- Penspen to conduct hydrogen gap analysis for Trans Adriatic Pipeline
- Assessment covers 877km pipeline connecting Turkey to Italy
- Focus on above-ground installations, block valves, and compressor stations
- Project supports European carbon neutrality goals
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has contracted Penspen to assess hydrogen blending capabilities across its 877-kilometer natural gas infrastructure. The pipeline, which connects the Trans Anatolian Pipeline at the Greek-Turkish border to Italy’s gas network, aims to expand its capacity while supporting regional decarbonization efforts.
Technical Assessment Scope
Penspen’s UK engineering team will evaluate:
- Above-ground installations (AGIs)
- Block valves (BVs)
- Compressor stations (CSs)
The assessment includes comprehensive desktop reviews and field evaluations to determine hydrogen blending feasibility within the existing infrastructure.
Strategic Importance
TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati emphasizes the pipeline’s potential role in Europe’s carbon neutrality goals. “The hydrogen readiness assessment represents a crucial step toward integrating hydrogen blends with natural gas in our network,” states Schieppati.
Regional Impact
Darren Bartlett, Energy Transition Director at Penspen, highlights the project’s significance: “Assessing existing infrastructure for hydrogen compatibility advances our mission to deliver cleaner energy solutions.”
Project Manager Angus Reid adds that enabling hydrogen transportation through strategic infrastructure will catalyze:
- Hydrogen generation projects in southeastern Europe
- Diverse hydrogen utilization opportunities
- Long-term regional decarbonization
Penspen’s Hydrogen Experience
The TAP contract builds on Penspen’s growing hydrogen infrastructure portfolio:
- Latvian gas operator Conexus Baltic Grid hydrogen blend feasibility study
- Portuguese TSO hydrogen readiness assessments for up to 100% blends
- UK HPP1 low-carbon hydrogen plant FEED services at Ellesmere Port
Market Implications
The integration of hydrogen blending capabilities into TAP’s infrastructure positions the pipeline as a key player in Europe’s emerging hydrogen economy. This strategic initiative aligns with the European Union’s hydrogen strategy, which aims to install at least 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2030. The assessment’s outcomes could influence similar infrastructure adaptation projects across Europe’s gas network, potentially accelerating the continent’s transition to low-carbon energy systems.
Future Expansion Plans
TAP’s exploration of hydrogen blending capabilities comes amid discussions of potential capacity expansion from the current 10 billion cubic meters per year to 20 bcm/year. This dual approach of capacity expansion and hydrogen integration demonstrates TAP’s commitment to meeting both current natural gas demand and future clean energy requirements. The pipeline’s strategic position connecting three European countries makes it an essential component in the region’s energy security and decarbonization efforts.
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