GRTgaz partners with CATALYSE to maximise the injection of hydrogen into the existing gas transmission network

On 29 April 2019, GRTgaz and CATALYSE signed their first commercial contract to maximise the injection of hydrogen into the pipes of the existing gas transmission network by developing a coating that protects against the effects of hydrogen. The contract was signed at "THE CAMP", a collaborative innovation space in Aix-en-Provence, in the presence of Anne CLAUDIUS-PETIT, Regional Councillor and Vice-President of the Green Growth, Energy Transition, Energy and Waste Commission, representing Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.

This contract follows a call for projects launched by GRTgaz in 2018 via its OPEN INNOVATION initiative, the aim of which was to maximise the injection of hydrogen into its network and preserve the sustainability of its existing steel pipes. The winner of this call for projects was CATALYSE, a company located in La Ciotat. It stood out by offering GRTgaz an innovative solution for coating pipes and the use of a robotic device for applying the coating to curved surfaces. The contract signed with Catalyse for around €80,000 is therefore aimed at limiting the impact of hydrogen, which we know speeds up the ageing of the network's metal pipes.

Specifically, the work will initially involve a feasibility study, the development of a permeability test, and the provision of the coating. The results of these initial phases could, in time, lead to CATALYSE’s solution being implemented for the GRTgaz network pipes, catching the eye of other gas carriers in Europe and worldwide involved in the injection of hydrogen.

As a company committed to implementing the energy transition, GRTgaz researches and develops innovative solutions to accommodate hydrogen in the existing natural gas transmission network at lower costs, thus facilitating the emergence of the French hydrogen energy sector. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of gas consumed in France.

GRTgaz is one of Europe’s leading natural gas transmission companies, and a global expert in gas networks and transmission systems. It is committed to developing the French and European hydrogen energy sector, and chairs the gas networks group as part of the European association Hydrogen Europe. The GRTgaz Group employs 250 people in the region. It operates 1,500 kilometres of network and two LNG terminals through its subsidiary Elengy. In 2018, GRTgaz invested €50 million to develop and modernise the gas transmission network. GRTgaz has also made orders with local companies in the amount of €20 million, benefiting the regional economy.

CATALYSIS

A subsidiary of Westlake Chemical, Catalyse is a service company specialising in chemistry and polymer materials. Its 14 employees based in sunny La Ciotat work to develop bespoke analytical chemistry services and intelligent materials.