A French gas distribution network operator, and 66 other gas distributors in 13 countries across Europe are launching the Ready for Hydrogen initiative (Ready4H2), as a way to aid the introduction of hydrogen to the gas distribution networks. 

GRDF (Gaz Réseau Distribution France) has been experimenting with hydrogen since 2014 when they initiated the GRHYD project with several European partners, supplying homes with a combination of both hydrogen and natural gas.

The project goals are to emphasise the long-term value of gas distribution networks for the energy exchange by February 2022, and to show that gas distribution networks can play a vital part in assisting the development of hydrogen.

The development of hydrogen is one of the key components of the European Energy Transition and France’s 2030 plan, with the country publishing its intention to develop a French decarbonised hydrogen sector, along with other ambitions.

GRDF claim that their network will be crucial to support the advancements of hydrogen in the near future and are supposedly preparing to manage hydrogen energy in a way that is safe and affordable for their users.

The gas distributors of Ready4H2 claim that they are working towards a future in which gas networks support the European decarbonisation strategy, with the roadmap they lay out being an available tool for European and French politicians to contribute to the end-goal of carbon neutrality.

GRDF is currently working on the conversion to 100% hydrogen networks.