Transgaz and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework for strategic cooperation in the field of hydrogen, related energy infrastructure and the development of joint projects of Romania and Japan.
The memorandum of understanding was inked in Tokyo during the fourth edition of the Romania-Japan Innovation Forum, in the presence of government officials from the two countries. Transgaz is Romania’s transmission system operator for natural gas.
The MoU was signed by Transgaz Director General Ion Sterian and Motohiko Nishimura, President of the Energy and Marine Solutions Company in Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).
According to Ion Sterian, as the operator of the national natural gas transmission system (NTS) and a member of the European Hydrogen Backbone, Transgaz is focused on the potential for integrating hydrogen from renewable, low-carbon sources into the natural gas transmission system, with a view to its alignment with the provisions of the European Union’s Hydrogen Strategy.
The firms aim to implement a demonstration project
By signing this MoU, both Transgaz and Kawasaki Heavy Industries aim to implement Transgaz’ concept for the large-scale transmission of gas hydrogen via onshore pipelines using KHI’s centrifugal hydrogen compressor in a safe, closed-loop system.
This cooperation will enable the two companies to carry out a demonstration project to test the hydrogen compressor technology developed by KHI, along with the installation of an electrolyzer that will also be used in Transgaz’ ROHYD project, dedicated to studying the mixture of natural gas and hydrogen, Sterian explained.
The next step will be to conclude a project agreement
The project is valued at EUR 21 million based on the equipment and technologies involved, as well as the research and testing activities to be conducted.
The next step following the signing of this memorandum will be to conclude a project agreement between the two firms. It will establish the location, the responsibilities of each party, and the schedule of activities.
The technology to be demonstrated uses a new-generation centrifugal compressor – a world first, designed to address these challenges – and is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of onshore hydrogen transmission, Transgaz stressed.
Sterian: The cooperation will strengthen Transgaz’ role in the energy transition of the region
“The cooperation with the industrial group Kawasaki provides us with access to cutting-edge technology,” Sterian added.
He believes that the experience gained through this initiative will strengthen Transgaz’ expertise and contribute to the development of an appropriate technical and legislative framework for hydrogen transmission, to the decarbonization of the national energy sector.
It will also strengthen Transgaz’ role in the energy transition of Romania and the region, and increase national, regional, and European energy security, he pointed out.
Steiran: We intend to become a gateway to the EU for Kawasaki
“We intend to become a gateway to the EU for Kawasaki and the other companies we will be collaborating with, to set up production facilities in Romania. I am referring strictly to Kawasaki now, the compressor part,” Sterian stressed.
The results of this collaboration will lead to the construction of one of the largest European and possibly worldwide research centres in the field of hydrogen, in his view.
The centre will include, additionally to the transmission and distribution of hydrogen, a wide range of industrial sectors such as: the ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy sector, petrochemicals, products for the chemical fertilizer industry, refinery products, with a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions, Sterian explained.
The NTS development plan includes projects worth over EUR 4.9 billion
The NTS development plan for the next ten years includes projects worth over EUR 4.9 billion for hydrogen transmission by repurposing the natural gas transmission infrastructure to transport hydrogen blended with natural gas, in line with the EU regulations, according to Transgaz.
The expansion of the company’s research activities regarding the feasibility of integrating a hydrogen blend into NTS and methods for introducing it into NTS, as well as the adaptation and upgrading of existing natural gas transmission infrastructure for the use of hydrogen and other green gases, are priority objectives of the company’s climate and decarbonization strategy.
The pilot project for hydrogen injection into natural gas transmission pipelines, known as ROHYD (short for Romania and Hydrogen), is being implemented by Transgaz’ specialists and it aims to determine the implications of transporting a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen through NTS.