UK-Germany Joint Feasibility Study on the Trade of Hydrogen

With the UK as a leader in the development of low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure and Germany set to be one of the world’s largest importers of hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives, there is a significant opportunity to establish pipeline-based hydrogen trade between the two countries as these markets develop.

The main objective of this study is to provide the basis for the UK and German governments to consider the potential for a future hydrogen pipeline to facilitate trade of hydrogen between the two countries. Through Regulations, Business Models and Commercial Arrangements analyses, and a high-level Infrastructure Assessment, Arup, dena and adelphi have laid out several key activities necessary to support the development of the international hydrogen trade market. 

These activities include the development of onshore networks, the alignment of technical requirements for the trading of the hydrogen molecule, and supporting the convening of the market to secure agreements between producers and offtakers. To this end, this study outlines a series of ‘delivery enablers’ and proposes preliminary focus areas to initiate them.