Techno-economic Assessment of a Hybrid Pipeline: Synergetic Energy Transmission by LH2 and HTS

The energy transition requires the expansion of infrastructure to transmit large amounts of electrical energy and hydrogen. Hybrid pipelines provide a new efficient and compact method to transfer both energy vectors: They exploit the synergy given by superconducting cables equipped with high temperature superconductors (HTS) and liquid hydrogen used as a coolant and energy carrier (LH2).

This contribution introduces a GW-class hybrid pipeline that consists of a two-phase coaxial DC superconducting cable and a thermally insulated rigid pipeline. The superconducting cable employs commercially available HTS REBCO tapes around a stabilizing copper core. An analysis of the future availability and demand for both energy carriers has led to a study case in Northern Germany. The length of the hybrid pipeline comprises approximately 75 km.

Traditionally, infrastructure transmits electrical energy and hydrogen separately – for example by means of high voltage direct current links (HVDC) and gas hydrogen pipelines. Vessel based transport is common in the case of LH2. Hybrid pipelines have the potential to improve efficiency and reduce space needs for new infrastructure in large scale. ... mehrHowever, it is still an open question under which conditions hybrid pipelines can be cost-effective in comparison to other transmission alternatives. This contribution presents a techno-economic assessment of a hybrid pipeline compared to other transmission alternatives for this selected study case.

Based on the conceptual design of a hybrid pipeline between Brunsbüttel and Hamburg, Germany, the system limits for a comparison of transmission alternatives are defined. A first analysis assumes liquid hydrogen is provided to the end user. A second analysis considers gas hydrogen to be delivered. The techno-economic assessment focuses on the technical properties, components and capital costs of each transmission alternative. The data, assumptions and methods for the cost analysis will be discussed. The results serve as a basis for future techno-economic evaluations of other study cases, clarifying the cost-effectiveness of hybrid pipelines compared to other transmission options.