HyDelta 4


Research programme

The HyDelta 4 programme is divided into work packages (WPs). Below is an overview of the research topics:

  1. Quantified risks for safety and control
  2. Optimal grid concept at 16 bar
  3. Interfaces with and within the hydrogen grid
  4. Hydrogen grid balancing
  5. Innovations for hydrogen grid operation

Quantified risks for safety and control

Below is a list of deliverables resulting from the aforementioned work packages, as well as a link to download them (when available):

WP1a: Risk of air ingress in industrial pipelines

Summary: Analysis of ignition risks of a hydrogen/air (or H₂/O₂) mixture in edge cases in an industrial internal pipeline. Potentially unsafe situations are defined, and the effects of possible incidents are mapped out.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D1a.1 Relative risks of flammable gas mixtures in industrial pipelines February 2026

WP1b: Understanding risk and impact of static electricity

Summary: Quantification of likelihood of static discharge occurring within a gas distribution network, and likelihood of static electricity ignition near a hydrogen leak.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D1b.1 Assessment of internal static electricity and ignition in hydrogen distribution pipelines February 2026
D1b.2 Assessment of external static electricity and ignition in hydrogen distribution pipelines February 2026

WP1c: Safety and control framework based on QRA

Summary: Safety contours and incident mitigation strategies for industrial hydrogen pipelines (8 or 16 bar) and stations, and guidelines for dealing with leaks (incident approach).

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D1c.1 Safety framework for industrial 8 to 16 bar hydrogen networks February 2026

 

Optimal grid concept at 16 bar

WP2a: Benefits and complexities of a 16 vs 8 bar grid

Summary: Broad overview of the benefits and challenges of a 16 bar network vs. a previously foreseen 8 bar network, in relation to system design and management, construction and maintenance, guidelines, expertise, organization, and resulting costs.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D2a.1 impact of 16 bar hydrogen grids compared to 8 bar hydrogen grids September 2025
D2a.2 Update: Impact of 16 bar hydrogen grids compared to 8 bar hydrogen grids May 2026

WP2b: Flushing large diameter pipelines for industrial distribution grids

WP2c: Current and future materials for 16 bar distribution grids

WP2d: Maintenance, operation and gas quality requirements at 16 bar

WP2e: Prognosis for H₂ gas velocity in 16 bar networks

Summary: WP2b, 2c, 2d, 2e cover different aspects of a 16 bar network: purging strategies, materials, materials and hydrogen flow speeds. These inputs are incorporated into D2a.2.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D2b.1 Purging large-diameter hydrogen pipelines March 2026
D2c.1 Suitable assets and materials for 8 and 16 bar hydrogen grids September 2025
D2d.1 Recommended maintenance and operation for 8 and 16 bar hydrogen grids March 2026
D2e.1 Review of flow speeds and erosion risks in a 16 bar hydrogen grid March 2026

 

Interfaces with and within the hydrogen grid

WP3a: Defining gas quality tolerances in distribution grids and at network interfaces

Summary: Definition of which hydrogen quality can be guaranteed by regional network operators and how different network segments can be safely and efficiently interconnected.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D3a.1 Feasibility of deodorizing hydrogen distribution grids October 2025
D3a.2 Realistic hydrogen specifications in hydrogen distribution grids January 2026

WP3b: Materials for ammonia transmission infrastructure

Summary: Review of requirements for pipelines and materials used in ammonia transport.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D3b.1 Overview of materials suitable for an ammonia transport infrastructure November 2025

WP3c: Back-casting the hydrogen transport and distribution infrastructure timeline

Summary: Analysis of the timeline for the realization of hydrogen infrastructure, based on accepted future goals, to help prioritize the development of the different components of the transport and distribution system.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D3c.1 Backcasting the 2050 hydrogen infrastructure timeline October 2025

 

Hydrogen grid balancing

WP4a: Innovations for hydrogen distribution grid balancing

Summary: Investigation of required technologies for network balance protection (e.g., monitoring systems, control systems, IT systems, data communication, etc.), balancing management and settlement (market), and balancing responsibility, mechanism, and roles (regulatory framework).

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D4a.1 Grid balancing development for hydrogen distribution grids: characteristics and key gaps September 2025
D4a.2 Requirements for the future hydrogen distribution grid balancing systems May 2026

 

Innovations for hydrogen grid operation

WP5a: Measuring principles for analyzing off-spec hydrogen compositions

Summary: Comparison of current and future technologies for analyzing (off-spec) gas compositions during construction, operation and maintenance in the field.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D5a.1 Off-spec hydrogen composition analysis in the field December 2025

WP5b: Innovative and sustainable recompression concepts for mobile operation

Summary: Investigation of best practices in evacuating large pipelines filled with hydrogen without losing significant amounts of gas, focusing on the sustainability of the energy source and emissions management.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D5b.1 Functional specification for a sustainable hydrogen re-compressor concept February 2026

WP5c: Best practices for H2 emission measurements and reporting

Summary: Investigation of the applicable (inter)national standards and requirements for equipment and reporting for hydrogen emissions from hydrogen grid operation and maintenance.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D5c.1 Best practices for hydrogen emission measurements and reporting March 2026

WP5d: Cost-effective hydrogen emission reduction strategies

Summary: Comparing the efficacy of the various opportunities (or innovation needs) to achieve emission reductions of hydrogen from networks and their interfaces.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D5d.1 Emission reduction strategy for hydrogen grids January 2026

WP5e: Flare geometries for variable gas mixtures

Summary: Technological and safety review with best practices for minimizing the release of unburnt gases into the atmosphere by flaring in the case of gas mixtures, created by switching between natural gas, nitrogen and hydrogen during conversion or maintenance.

Number Deliverable title Publication date Link
D5e.1 Experimental results on methane/hydrogen gas mixture flaring March 2026
D5e.2 Fluid dynamics modeling results on methane/hydrogen gas mixture flaring March 2026

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Dit project is medegefinancierd door TKI Nieuw Gas | Topsector Energie uit de PPS-toeslag onder referentienummer TKI2025-HyDelta

DISCLAIMER: This website as well as the deliverables resulting from the HyDelta project reflect only the respective author’s view

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