HyDelta 4.0
Research programme
The HyDelta 4.0 programme is divided into work packages (WPs). Below is an overview of the research topics:
- Quantified risks for safety and control
- Optimal grid concept at 16 bar
- Interfaces with and within the hydrogen grid
- Hydrogen grid balancing
- 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: This work package analyzes the risks of ignition of a hydrogen/air (or H₂/O₂) mixture in an industrial internal pipeline. Since available literature on this topic is still limited, potentially unsafe situations are defined, and the effects of possible incidents are mapped out through practical research.
| 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: HyDelta 3 has experimentally demonstrated that internal static discharge can potentially ignite a hydrogen/air mixture. However, there is still uncertainty about the actual likelihood of such an event occurring in real-life situations within the gas distribution network. Additionally, it is unclear at what level of static electricity ignition may occur near a hydrogen leak. These problems will be examined within this work package
WP1c: Safety and control framework based on QRA
Summary: This work package develops the missing knowledge on safety contours for hydrogen pipelines and stations for industrial pipelines (8 or 16 bar), based on results from WP1a and WP1b, among others, as well as guidelines for dealing with leaks (incident approach). This will provide insight into a desired safety framework for industrial hydrogen networks and identify which mitigation measures are effective.
| 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
Below is a list of deliverables resulting from the aforementioned work packages, as well as a link to download them (when available):
WP2a: Benefits and complexities of a 16 vs 8 bar grid
Summary: This work package will provide a broad overview of the benefits and challenges of a 16 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
Summary: WP2b, WP2c, and WP2d delve into the conversion of existing large-diameter pipeline systems and the effective construction of new networks using appropriate materials and maintenance approaches. The focus is specifically on the potential application of 16 bar networks for connecting industrial customers. This knowledge is now essential to enable gas network operators to accelerate the realization of these networks.
| Number | Deliverable title | Publication date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2b.1 | Purging large-diameter hydrogen pipelines | March 2026 |
WP2c: Current and future materials for 16 bar distribution grids
Summary: WP2b, WP2c, and WP2d delve into the conversion of existing large-diameter pipeline systems and the effective construction of new networks using appropriate materials and maintenance approaches. The focus is specifically on the potential application of 16 bar networks for connecting industrial customers. This knowledge is now essential to enable gas network operators to accelerate the realization of these networks.
| Number | Deliverable title | Publication date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2c.1 | Suitable assets and materials for 8 and 16 bar hydrogen grids | September 2025 |
WP2d: Maintenance, operation and gas quality requirements at 16 bar
Summary: WP2b, WP2c, and WP2d delve into the conversion of existing large-diameter pipeline systems and the effective construction of new networks using appropriate materials and maintenance approaches. The focus is specifically on the potential application of 16 bar networks for connecting industrial customers. This knowledge is now essential to enable gas network operators to accelerate the realization of these networks.
| Number | Deliverable title | Publication date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2d.1 | Recommended maintenance and operation for 8 and 16 bar hydrogen grids | March 2026 |
WP2e: Prognosis for H2 gas velocity in 16 bar networks
Summary: This work package additionally investigates the effects of higher flow velocities in 16 bar networks, focusing in particular on the risks of erosion. The results from WP2b through WP2e will be incorporated into the final report of WP2a.
| Number | Deliverable title | Publication date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2e.1 | Review of flow speeds and erosion risks in a 16 bar hydrogen grid | March 2026 |
Interfaces with and within the hydrogen grid
Below is a list of deliverables resulting from the aforementioned work packages, as well as a link to download them (when available):
WP3a: Defining gas quality tolerances in distribution grids and at network interfaces
Summary: This work package investigates which hydrogen quality can be guaranteed by regional network operators and how different network segments can be safely and efficiently interconnected, considering both the technical capabilities of the gas grid and the sensitivity of end-user equipment.
| 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: Since various market parties are exploring the possibility of using ammonia as a transport medium for hydrogen, it is important within the scope of HyDelta (hydrogen transport and distribution) to determine the requirements that pipelines and materials must meet for this system; this work packaaims to provide clarity on this matter.
| 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: Following WP3a and Wp3b, an overarching analysis is made of the timeline for the realization of hydrogen infrastructure, based on the accepted future goals. This will be done within this work package 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
Below is a list of deliverables resulting from the aforementioned work packages, as well as a link to download them (when available):
WP4a: Innovations for hydrogen distribution grid balancing
Summary: This work package investigates the structure of a balancing system in terms of required technologies (e.g., monitoring systems, control systems, IT systems, data communication, etc.) for network balance protection (physical integrity), balancing management and settlement (market), and balancing responsibility, mechanism, and roles (regulatory framework). Based on the research results, the expected outcomes of this work pacakge are concrete proposals for requirements for the balancing system, both technically and in terms of market and regulation.
| 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
Below is a list of deliverables resulting from the aforementioned work packages, as well as a link to download them (when available):
WP5a: Measuring principles for analyzing off-spec hydrogen compositions
Summary: Firstly, network operators must have measuring equipment to quickly analyze off-spec situations in the field. The market for hydrogen quality measurement equipment is rapidly developing. Network operators need to have insight into the performance and applicability of measurement principles currently available, as well as those that may become available in the future, which will be examined within this work package.
| 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: Secondly, for maintenance and repair purposes, it is necessary to evacuate large pipelines filled with hydrogen without losing significant amounts of hydrogen. The currently used gas compression units are not suitable for hydrogen. This work package will investigate innovative hydrogen re-compression concepts, 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: Thirdly, just like for natural gas, gas network operators must also measure and register their emissions for hydrogen in accordance with (inter)national standards. This work package investigates which standards apply and the requirements that measurement equipment must meet (measurement accuracy, measurement principles, etc.).
| 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: Given that preventing emissions is even more important, this work package focuses on opportunities to achieve emission reductions of hydrogen from networks and their interfaces. This knowledge is urgently needed, as gas emissions are gaining international attention, and a lack of understanding could potentially delay the rollout of hydrogen networks.
| Number | Deliverable title | Publication date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5d.1 | Emission reduction strategy for hydrogen grids | January 2026 |
WP5e: Flare geometries for variable gas mixtures
Summary: Finally, as part of the transition to and operation of gas networks with hydrogen, pipelines will need to switch between hydrogen, natural gas, and nitrogen. To minimize the release of unburned gases into the atmosphere, flare installations are used to burn these changing natural gas/nitrogen and hydrogen/nitrogen mixtures. This work package investigates how existing flare installations can be used safely and effectively.
| 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 |
