DNV will aid Energinet TSO with critical knowledge on PtX (Power to X) and Denmark’s progression with EU’s green deal strategy

Outcomes will support the energy transition and prepare Danish infrastructure for future use, including anticipated energy exports to Europe. Aim is that completion of the Danish Green Deal framework will contribute to the EU’s Green Deal on decarbonizing energy transmission and allow for the transport of hydrogen and other PtX gases.

Independent energy expert and assurance provider DNV has been awarded four frame contracts with Energinet TSO, Denmark’s national transmission system operator for electricity and gas, for “green deal” work on the Danish transmission gas grid in relation to PtX (Power to X).  

Projects supporting PtX in Denmark follow the European Green Deal strategy for decarbonization. A key part of this will be the ability of gas networks to transport low-carbon energy carriers such as hydrogen and other PtX gases, which require new or re-purposed infrastructure. PtX will be essential to tackle the hard to abate sectors in Europe, that cannot be electrified, by converting green power to hydrogen, ammonia, E-Fuels, for example.   

DNV was selected as the preferred supplier on one frame agreement and will lead the work scopes with authorities, regulations and standards. The green deal contract award on PtX will deliver further insights from the industry and reinforce DNV and Energinet TSO’s long-standing collaboration for sharing critical knowledge and managing major risks. This was last exemplified by their participation in DNV’s Joint Industry Project (JIP) to update the hydrogen pipeline design and operation standard. 

DNV already provides advisory services with multiple engagements under the green deal preferred supplier framework contract, and has extensive experience running and/or advising on successful projects on hydrogen infrastructure and regulation – including Energinet TSO’s conversion study for the Frøslev to Egtved pipeline route, which is part of their latest initiative with the Danish Hydrogen Backbone to set up a connection to Germany for hydrogen export.  

DNV will notably use its model for repurposing gas infrastructure to hydrogen to assess and advise on the pipeline re-qualification program, especially in identifying the major risks for project feasibility – as any weaknesses found may be a significant cost driver to conversion.

Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President for Energy Systems, Northern Europe at DNV said: “In Denmark, EU green deal projects, such as the ones converting and extending transmission infrastructure, are essential for a successful energy transition. DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook shows that connecting supply and demand for hydrogen, ammonia, and other e-fuels, is key to providing consumers with easier access to cleaner energy, and we are proud to take part in the realization of this objective.”  

This aligns with DNV’s Hydrogen Forecast to 2050, which finds that hydrogen is an essential energy vector to a clean energy future, with the potential to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and provide medium- to long-term energy storage, providing energy security. DNV expects that the majority of hydrogen pipelines will be repurposed from natural gas infrastructure.

Mick Cramer Jakobsen, DNV’s Head of Customer Relations and Sales for Northern Europe noted: “This is an important project to achieve PtX’s transformation into gas transport, and our vast experience with hydrogen, other PtX gases and infrastructure in Denmark and across Europe uniquely positions DNV to support Energinet TSO. Given the current European gas import risks and constraints, we are all the more committed to help achieve first gas on the Baltic Pipe project and enable natural gas exports to Poland, and to prepare for the future shift from natural gas to hydrogen.” 

Peter Hodal, CEO Energinet Gas Transmission, added: “The gas transmission network is a critical part in Denmark for transporting energy and helping industry sectors in alignment with EU green deal strategy. DNV’s work in this area will be important for Energinet TSO, as there is a significant upside for Denmark’s PtX producers and clusters of off takers if large parts of the gas network can be repurposed and possibly extended with new infrastructure to the likes of hydrogen.”