Soluforce is certified for hydrogen applications
KIWA certifies SoluForce Flexible Composite Pipe for Hydrogen applications
Together with Groningen Seaports, SoluForce has developed a Flexible Composite Pipe system for hydrogen applications up to 42 bar. Unique in the world of hydrogen transport and a global first. This significant milestone has a major impact on the feasibility of (green) hydrogen, and is a new step towards a sustainable energy mix.
First application of the SoluForce Hydrogen Solutions will be at Groningen Seaports, where four kilometres (2.5 miles) of SoluForce infrastructure will be installed later this year. This infrastructure will distribute green hydrogen produced by wind mills in the North sea to companies in the chemical and industrial sectors in the Eemshaven.
“As Groningen Seaports, we play an active role in making the industry in the Northern Netherlands greener and more sustainable. Through the collaboration with SoluForce we have been able to develop and install a piping system that is cheaper than the alternative, steel. In this way we contribute to the acceleration of the energy transition” – Eertwijn van den Dool, Project Director at Groningen Seaports.
As a professor of Future Energy System at the TU Delft and the leading hydrogen expert in Europe, Prof. Ad van Wijk was impressed with the capabilities of SoluForce Flexible Composite Pipe system and its suitability for hydrogen applications.
“Green Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can transport and store large quantities of Solar and Wind at low cost. It is necessary for the realization of the Paris climate goals, as well as to make the economy stronger and greener. I believe that the SoluForce pipe solutions will play a vital role in facilitating the energy transition by providing affordable and proven hydrogen transportation and distribution solutions.” – Ad van Wijk, Professor Future Energy Systems at TU Delft.
SoluForce (part of Pipelife B.V.) is a proven technology with over 3.500km of pipe installed since the year 2000, mainly in the oil and gas industry. Compared to conventional steel pipes, SoluForce pipes are maintenance-free, extremely durable and can be used for transporting hydrogen at high pressures.
“I believe that an important part of innovation is combining the right partners and their underlying knowledge. During this project we were able to do just that. I would like to thank Groningen Seaports and KIWA for the pleasant cooperation in this project and their valuable input and efforts. Furthermore, the recognition from Ad van Wijk shows that we are on a right track to make a significant contribution to the future of the hydrogen value chain”. - Robert-Jan Berg, Managing Director SoluForce.
Royal opening of Netherland's first Hydrogen plant
The importance of hydrogen production for the country's progress towards a sustainable energy mix was underlined with the royal "approval" of His Majesty King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands: On June 26th 2019, he opened the Netherland's first hydrogen plant HyStock (Gasunie).
Various hydrogen solutions have been presented within the framework of the event, SoluForce Flexible Composite Pipe (FCP, also know as RTP) solutions being one of them. Impressed by the Dutch design and product system Kind Willem Alexander signed a SoluForce pipe sample to mark the occasion.
