HIPS-NET Hydrogen in Pipeline Systems – Network

HIPS-NET is a network of about 40 partners and aims to establish a common European understanding on the H₂ tolerance of the existing natural gas grid.

We provide a professional „Technology Watch“ and share available information on the H₂ tolerance of the gas grid from both running and completed projects. The information is distributed to our network partners on a regular basis in newsletters and during workshops.

Dedicated investigations, tests and research are not covered, but could be initiated by the network.
The NETWORK is considered as a GERG project (GERG is the European Gas Research Group).

Members Area

Core Topics HIPS-NET

HIPS-NET is concerned with hydrogen tolerance of the gas grid infrastructure. The following topics are highlighted in particular:

Pure hydrogen infrastructure
Standardisation and politics
European and national regulation
Gas turbines and engines
Underground gas storage
Natural gas as working medium
Safety specifics
Cross border transmission
Education & certification of operators
Energy metering

Benefits for HIPS-NET Partners

The HIPS-NET partners are informed in regular newsletters (six per year) on the latest available knowledge that can be gathered on a royalty-freely basis. This knowledge enables strategic decision making in the context of hydrogen in gas grids but also in the wider field of utilisation.

The network allows partners to maintain contact with other active players and institutions that are interested in establishing a common understanding of H₂ limits in the gas grid.

HIPS-NET partners can also contribute with their knowledge and experience and, thereby, influence the common understanding of what is possible concerning hydrogen in the gas grid, which can assist in directing attention on R&D activities necessary to remove bottlenecks. Partners will have the opportunity to investigate open R&D fields if necessary by forming consortia.

Every year in summer, all partners are invited to a HIPS-NET workshop, where there are exciting presentations on the core topics and plenty of room for intensive exchange among each other.

HIPS-NET Workshops

Workshop 2025

Further information will follow.

Workshop 2024

The Gas Package and further European developments
Regulatory scope of hydrogen underground storage
Experiences: Hydrogen Network Netherlands
Capacity management of the gas grid with multiple renewable gas suppliers
Engineering assessment for H2 blending into natural gas networks
Need for further research on the difference between the lower flammability level and the lower explosion level of hydrogen