HIPS-NET Hydrogen in Pipeline Systems – Network
What is HIPS-Net?
HIPS-NET is a European hydrogen network with partners from 13 countries. Its aim is to establish a common European understanding on the hydrogen (H2) tolerance of existing natural gas infrastructure and to highlight current developments in hydrogen pipeline systems and infrastructure.
The network provides a professional technology watch on hydrogen in gas infrastructure and shares available information on the H₂ tolerance of gas grids from both ongoing and completed research projects. This information is distributed regularly to network partners through newsletters and workshops.
Dedicated investigations, testing and research activities are not part of HIPS-NET itself, but may be initiated through collaborations between network partners.
HIPS-NET is conducted as a project within GERG – the European Gas Research Group.
Core research topics
HIPS-NET is concerned with hydrogen tolerance of the gas grid infrastructure. The following topics are highlighted in particular:
- Hydrogen infrastructure
- Standardisation and politics
- European and national regulation
- Gas turbines and engines
- Underground gas storage
- Natural gas as working medium
- Safety specifics
- Cross border transmission
- Education & certification of operators
- Energy metering
- CO2 infrastructure
Benefits for partners
The HIPS-NET partners are informed through quarterly newsletters on the latest knowledge that can be gathered on a royalty-free basis. This knowledge enables strategic decision making in the context of hydrogen in gas grids but also in the wider field of utilisation.
The network allows partners to maintain contact with other active players and institutions that are interested in establishing a common understanding of hydrogen limits of the gas grid as well as hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructure.
HIPS-NET partners can also contribute with their knowledge and experience and, thereby, influence the common understanding of what is possible concerning hydrogen in the gas grid, which can assist in directing attention on R&D activities necessary to remove bottlenecks. Partners will have the opportunity to investigate open R&D fields if necessary by forming consortia.
Every year in summer, all partners are invited to a HIPS-NET workshop, where there are exciting presentations on the core topics and plenty of room for intensive exchange among each other.
Workshops & knowledge exchange
Workshop 2026
The next HIPS-Net workshop will take place on June 10-11, 2026.
- Paving the way for H2: Technical and organisational insights from the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park pipeline conversion
- EUH2STARS: paving the way towards the future of European Underground Hydrogen Storage
- Modelling the Combustion Heat of Hydrogen–Natural Gas Blends: Insights from the Hranice u Aše Pilot
- HYLOOP+, H2 flowmeter calibration laboratory
- Overview of current developments in EU regulation in the field of hydrogen
- Ready4H2 and Ready2Go – hydrogen through the distribution networks
- HyDelta program: Balancing of the regional hydrogen grids
- Reflection of HIPS-NET activities in 2025 and outlook 2026
Workshop 2025
- Overview of Gasunie’s current hydrogen activities
- Irish Update on Hydrogen Journey
- H2-Regulation: European developments
- H2-Activities in Spain & Denmark
- H2-Savety – study results
- Hydrogen Underground Storage
- AquaDuctus
- Results of the Ready4H2 project
- Reflection of HIPS-NET activities in 2024
Workshop 2024
- The Gas Package and further European developments
- Regulatory scope of hydrogen underground storage
- Experiences: Hydrogen Network Netherlands
- Capacity management of the gas grid with multiple renewable gas suppliers
- Engineering assessment for H2 blending into natural gas networks
- Need for further research on the difference between the lower flammability level and the lower explosion level of hydrogen
Partners from over 13 countries
