LNG terminals: Use for hydrogen and ammonia should be planned from the outset

Hamburg. " Right from the start, the LNG terminals must be planned for use with hydrogen." TÜV NORD energy expert Silvio Konrad emphasises in the German energy podcast Energieschub. "LNG is a bridging technology that ensures that there is security of supply in Germany today – but clearly with the requirement that the land-based terminals can be re-used." This is the only way to ensure that they are not "stranded assets" in five or ten years. This applies to the infrastructure of the terminals, just as it does to the pipelines and storage facilities – everything must be planned with the use of hydrogen in mind from the outset, for example in terms of dimensioning and use of appropriate materials, the expert explains.

Terminals for the import of liquefied natural gas, LNG, exist in Germany so far in Wilhelmshaven, Lubmin and Brunsbüttel; further facilities are planned in Stade, Wilhelmshaven and Lubmin. Initially, these are floating plants (FSRU) where the LNG is transported by ship to the terminals, converted and fed back into the gas grid. After a few years, the floating terminals are to be replaced by fixed terminals.

Hydrogen in its gaseous state is not suitable for transport by ship due to its low energy density, so the focus for import by ship is on derivatives, such as liquefied hydrogen or hydrogen bonded in the form of ammonia or as methanol. "Ammonia in particular will play a central role for applications here in northern Germany," says Silvio Konrad. "Production, storage and trade of ammonia are established on a large scale, the synthesis process is about 100 years old. In addition, there are new aspects because ammonia can also be used as an energy raw material in the future – it can be burned or converted back into hydrogen and nitrogen via so-called ammonia cracking."

To this end, the infrastructural connection of the terminals should also be considered, Konrad continued: "Where does the renewable energy for this ammonia cracker come from? Where is the natural gas or hydrogen pipeline to distribute the hydrogen? And where are the industrial hubs that can directly use this ammonia this hydrogen for their processes in the field of energy generation or in production?

Planning for this future use means that it is crucial to design the terminals accordingly today, with the know-how about LNG and hydrogen.

Listen to the whole podcast here (German language only): 
Newsroom link

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer