Hydrogen energy storage & transport

Grader A: partial

Power-to-gas has run as kW-to-MW pilots since 2012 (Falkenhagen, Frankfurt, Mainz) plus one industry-scale plant (Audi e-gas Werlte, 6 MW); gigawatt-scale projects are planned for 2028+. Hydrogen-for-energy networks exist only as demonstrations and blends. Real but limited.

Test: D37 Horizons: hydrogen storage-and-transport energy services available to ordinary customers outside pilots by 2024; demonstrations or a few plants are partial.

• Power-to-gas (Wikipedia) (2024): Pilot plants 2012-2016, one 6 MW industry-scale plant, 1 GW electrolyser planned from 2028.

Grader B: partial

Hydrogen storage and transport exist as industrial supply (pipelines, salt caverns), and power-to-gas plants and grid blending ran as pilots (Energiepark Mainz 2015, HyDeploy 2019). No hydrogen grid replaces electricity transmission. Real but limited.

Test: Hydrogen energy storage/transport services could be bought outside pilots by 2024; partial if pilots/limited or by 2025-2027.

• HyDeploy (2019-2021): Hydrogen blending into a gas network trialled, not commercial.
• Power-to-gas (2024): Power-to-hydrogen storage plants mostly demonstration scale.