This paper analyses the impact of this framework on the existing natural gas networks and the emerging hydrogen network and seeks to establish specifically whether its rules ensure flexibility and security of supply.
Some of the contents are as follows:
- The EU vision for the future European gas system, consisting of natural gas and hydrogen systems, and legislative provisions governing its operation
- Topology, scale and timing of the European hydrogen network development and its impact on the existing natural gas networks
- Decarbonisation of the European natural gas networks: EU legislative provisions on network development coordination and financing
The paper concludes that although regulatory flexibility is built into the framework by establishing a transition implementation period, allowing exemptions and derogations for existing and new hydrogen infrastructure, and enabling financial and regulatory support via a PCI/PMI status, it is far from certain to be sufficient to enable the EU hydrogen market to develop at scale.
Decarbonisation of existing natural gas networks: options