Key areas of research and development
- Transition of the gas supply to green gases/hydrogen
- Analysis and simulation of dynamic effects in gas and heating networks
- Climate-neutral heat supply
- 4th-generation heating networks integrating renewable heat and heat storage systems
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of energy infrastructures and components | LCA research poster (PDF, not barrier-free accessible)
- CO₂ footprint assessments
Team
- M.Eng. Robin Pischko
- M.Eng. Malte Sommer
- M.Eng. Paul Wilhelm
- B.Eng. Vincent Grade
- B.Eng. Louisa Stöhr
- B.Eng. Anna Friederike Neuhaus
- B.Eng. Dános Maria Éber Dick
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Huhn
Chair of Gas and Heating Networks
Institute
EGU | Institute for Energy, Building and Environmental Technology
Research Profile
Smart Energy & Environment
Telephone: +49 (0)341 3076 4123
Email: robert(dot)huhn(at)htwk-leipzig.de
GreenH2Supply
Safe and resilient piped supply of green hydrogen to power stations, industry and commerce
The GreenH2Supply project is investigating the conversion of existing natural gas networks to operate on hydrogen and is developing practical solutions for a safe and efficient piped supply. The focus is on the suitability of materials and components, the analysis of altered flow conditions using CFD simulations, and the environmental assessment of hydrogen transport through life cycle assessments (LCA). HTWK Leipzig is contributing to the quantification of environmental impacts by carrying out life cycle assessments of pipeline systems for hydrogen transport, both for the conversion of existing natural gas pipelines and for the construction of new pipelines. In addition, fluid dynamics investigations are being carried out and CFD models are being developed to analyse flow effects in gas installations, in order to enable reliable conclusions to be drawn regarding pressure losses, turbulence and safety-relevant operating conditions.
Project start: 01/2026 – 12/2028
Funding: BMWE
Project partners: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH; Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH
SafeH2Supply
SafeH2Supply develops concepts for a safe, reliable and environmentally sustainable hydrogen supply. The focus is on the odourisation of hydrogen to increase operational safety, ensuring gas quality when using existing infrastructure, and reducing environmental impacts through emissions measurements and life cycle assessment. HTWK Leipzig contributes to the assessment of the environmental impacts of H₂ infrastructure through a comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) and, based on project-internal measurement data, identifies specific approaches to reducing emissions and optimising sustainability.
Project start: 04/2025 – 12/2027
Funding: Free State of Saxony/SAB
Project partner: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH
BLWH2
Joint project: EnEff:Wärme: BLWH2 – Developing and supplying existing buildings and new developments in the town of Bad Lauchstädt with climate-neutral heat
Sub-project: Concept development and life cycle assessment for the supply concept using large-scale electrolysis
BLWH2 is investigating the use of waste heat from electrolysis to supply heat to urban areas. As part of a life-cycle assessment (LCA), HTWK Leipzig is evaluating the environmental impacts of various supply scenarios – with a particular focus on the carbon footprint. In addition, HTWK Leipzig is responsible for optimising the operation and designing key components of the energy infrastructure. This is carried out using Python-based modelling of the energy system under consideration to analyse and evaluate various operating strategies.
Funding:BMWE
Project partners:DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH, envia THERM GmbH, VNG AG
Project duration:11/2024 – 10/2026
Burn4H2
Development of gas turbine combustion technology and operational concepts for hydrogen-fuelled power stations within an integrated energy system
Project duration: 01/2023 – 12/2024
Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Project partners: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, Leipziger Stadtwerke GmbH
H2INFRA
Hydrogen Infrastructure | Efficient and safe operation of hydrogen distribution networks
As part of research into hydrogen infrastructure and piped hydrogen supply, an environmental and economic analysis and assessment of the hydrogen value chain is being carried out. This examines various application pathways in the mobility, domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. The value chain under assessment encompasses all technologies relating to the production, transport, distribution, storage and consumption of hydrogen. As part of the scientific support, measurement data (operating parameters, energy performance data, etc.) relating to the infrastructure are recorded as part of a comprehensive monitoring programme. In addition, various test series are being carried out to investigate the system components. The evaluation and classification of the data are intended to provide insights into the long-term performance of the components used, the safety technology and the pipe materials.
Funding: BMWK
Project partners: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH
Project duration: 01/2022 – 12/2025
HYPOS | H2 Network
Development of innovative infrastructure to supply consumers in the hydrogen village
HTWK Leipzig is providing scientific support for the H2-Netz project. In addition to documenting the processes taking place during construction, the measurement data generated during operation is collected, processed and analysed. Potential optimisation strategies are then derived from this. A further focus is on developing a tool for the environmental and economic assessment of distribution network infrastructures. The aim is to compare conventional hydrogen networks with innovative ones in order to calculate the potential benefits in terms of both additional costs and CO₂ savings. The aim is to validate whether the anticipated 30% cost saving can be achieved through the use of plastic materials and novel laying methods.
Funding: BMBF
Project partners: DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH, Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH, REHAU AG + Co, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH
Project duration: 11/2016 – 12/2021
