Collaboration between DNV and Energinet advances operational readiness for Denmark's hydrogen backbone
Collaboration between DNV and Energinet has been central to advancing the operational readiness of Denmark’s future hydrogen backbone. Through a structured program of workshops and assessments, DNV and Energinet identified the operational differences between hydrogen and methane pipeline systems, pinpointing where new procedures, training, and systems will be needed to safely and efficiently transport hydrogen at scale.
The work comprised two main workshops, a threat assessment, and a subsequent gap assessment, bringing together experts from DNV and Energinet to secure the backbone’s readiness. The findings provide Energinet with clear recommendations and a step-by-step approach to achieving operational readiness, while also identifying potential OPEX impacts compared to methane systems.
Although Energinet already has a strong operational workforce and established procedures for methane, the study concluded that several areas require updating to prepare for hydrogen. These include procedures, training and competence management, emergency response, and the implementation of a comprehensive Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS). The study also recommended new technologies, such as fiber optics for leak detection.
From an operational expenditure perspective, pipeline integrity management, metering at stations, and personnel costs are expected to be some of the main contributors in the hydrogen transportation system. While higher upfront costs are expected due to more frequent inspections and specialized training, these are anticipated to decline as operational familiarity increases, and system reliability improves.
This collaboration also draws on insights from DNV’s joint industry projects (JIPs) on hydrogen, ensuring that the knowledge developed collectively with industry is translated into practical guidance and applied to strengthen Energinet’s operational readiness.
Mick Cramer Jakobsen, Vice President and Head of Customer Relations and Sales for Northern Europe, Energy Systems at DNV, said: “Supporting Energinet in this vital stage of Denmark’s hydrogen journey underlines the importance of preparing today for the energy systems of tomorrow. Our collaborative work highlights the critical steps to ensure hydrogen can be transported safely and reliably, building on Energinet’s strong expertise in methane operations. At DNV, we are committed to working alongside partners like Energinet to provide the technical clarity and confidence needed to accelerate the energy transition.”
Kristian Lyager, Key Account Manager at DNV, added: “This study provides Energinet with a clear roadmap for organizational readiness, from updating standards to upskilling the workforce. By prioritizing procedures, training, and competence management, Energinet can ensure safe and effective operations as hydrogen is introduced into the backbone.”
Per Stangholm Jakobsen, Senior Director, Asset Gas at Energinet:
“Developing Denmark’s hydrogen backbone is a major step in building a resilient energy system for the future. The collaboration with DNV has given us valuable insights into the operational challenges and opportunities of hydrogen, ensuring we can prepare our people, procedures, and systems to handle this transition safely and efficiently. These results will guide our ongoing work and help us deliver on Denmark’s ambitions for a secure and sustainable energy supply.”
