Can the current natural gas infrastructure handle hydrogen, the Great Escape Artist?

The North Sea’s offshore wind farms are the cornerstone of the green transition. In addition to enabling the electrification of everything that can be plugged in, offshore wind must be converted into hydrogen to supply all of Europe with a climate-friendly alternative to natural gas. But: Can we even transport hydrogen through the existing infrastructure, and what documentation requirements and tests are needed across the value chain?

A group of partners is working to find out in the innovation project “Demonstration of Hydrogen Compatibility of Gas Infrastructure” under the Lighthouse South initiative.

“Hydrogen is an essential part of the green transition, but there are major challenges in handling it,” says Ditte Bilgrav Bangsgaard, Materials Specialist at FORCE Technology.

“In the project, we aim to identify the necessary testing and validation for both new and existing natural gas infrastructure and components to be used with hydrogen. We will examine technology, regulations, design parameters, testing, and deliver a shared guideline for certification,” she says.

That’s why the entire value chain is involved – from suppliers of components for hydrogen production via electrolysis to valve manufacturers, regulatory authorities (such as the Danish Safety Technology Authority), and Energinet, which is also responsible for establishing the Danish hydrogen backbone in coordination with neighboring Germany.

Hydrogen: The Escape Artist of Gases 

Hydrogen behaves differently than other gases. The hydrogen molecule is very small and can diffuse through many materials, such as steel. It’s no coincidence that hydrogen is known as an escape artist – it can leak through almost anything, and even small cracks can lead to significant leaks. Additionally, hydrogen tends to cause cracks in metals – a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement – which can weaken materials and cause leaks.

“Gas under high pressure already presents many challenges, and the safety aspect is significant. So, we conduct extensive testing on hydrogen handling – and for good reason. But we’re also erring on the side of caution for now,” says Ditte Bilgrav Bangsgaard. “We need a gas infrastructure we can trust – even when it’s hydrogen flowing through the pipes.”

An assessment from the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) – a consortium of 33 national energy infrastructure companies (including Energinet) – estimates that about 60% of current components, valves, and other parts are H₂-ready. 
“But are they really?” asks Ditte Bilgrav Bangsgaard. “That’s what we need to find out. Perhaps through testing, increased knowledge, and insights, we can contribute to new standards that represent a shared technical validation of the infrastructure – standards that are robust, compliant with legislation, and fit for purpose. That would have a major impact on the development of our hydrogen infrastructure.”

Written by Sune Falther and published in EnergyTech, Innovation Insight 2025. Read the full publication here (available in Danish only).