GTS operator is studying the possibility of transporting biomethane and hydrogen

European GTS operators are looking for an optimal place in a future decarbonized world without fossil fuels. Natural gas will play the role of the main fuel at the stage of phasing out coal, but it is already important to find new directions for using the gas transportation infrastructure.

This was announced at the Ukrainian-Slovak energy forum by Serhii Makohon, Director-General of GTSOU, the press service reports.

“Our main function is natural gas transportation. But now the whole world is moving towards a time when fossil resources will not be used and all GTS operators are looking for a future for their companies, provided that natural gas is abandoned. We are also moving in this direction, we understand that we need to find a new use for our gas transportation system. First of all, we are considering its use for transporting other types of methane gas (this is biomethane, methane from agro-industrial waste, garbage),” Makohon said.

He recalled that according to the estimates of the Biogas Association, Ukraine has the potential to annually produce about 7 billion cubic meters of gas. Considering the volume of gas consumption in Ukraine (about 28 billion cubic meters of gas per year), this is one-fourth of the demand, so this is a powerful direction for Ukraine.

Another promising direction is the transportation of hydrogen, hydrogen mixtures. However, for Ukraine, this area still has many technical challenges.

“Europe connects its energy future with hydrogen. But for us, as an operator, this is a very difficult task. It is necessary to assess all the risks associated with the transportation of hydrogen by our system. We need to understand what the state of our systems is, where modernization is required. We are actively studying the experience of our European colleagues and take an active part in leading specialized associations. We see that the first step to be taken is the harmonization of legislation on hydrogen. If we bring hydrogen to the border with Slovakia, we must understand that they have the same technical requirements as we do, that they will accept this hydrogen into the system, ”Makogon emphasized.

Today, the Ukrainian GTS Operator maintains an active dialogue with European partners from Hungary and Poland and also plans to start negotiations with Slovakia to develop a common vision on the possibility of hydrogen transportation and harmonization of legislation.

As a reminder,  Serhii Makohon noted that the loss of transit through the territory of Ukraine is a problem for Europe.