The German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has inaugurated a new living laboratory for hydrogen networks at its Test Site for Technical Safety near Baruth/Mark in Brandenburg. The facility houses the ModuH2Pipe modular test platform, designed to evaluate materials, components and operational processes for hydrogen pipeline networks under real-world operating conditions.
The facility comes as Germany advances plans to develop a hydrogen core network exceeding 9,000km by 2032, much of which will be created by repurposing existing natural gas pipelines. The national network is also expected to form part of the wider European Hydrogen Backbone, a planned cross-border hydrogen pipeline system projected to extend to around 50,000km by 2040.
The ModuH2Pipe platform enables testing of hydrogen infrastructure under varying operating scenarios, including repeated pressure cycles between 10 bar and 85 bar to simulate system start-up and shutdown. The facility can also introduce contaminants into the system to assess material ageing, potential damage mechanisms and the performance of pipeline components.
In addition to material testing, the platform will be used to validate manufacturing, welding and repair processes. BAM said non-destructive inspection techniques will also be assessed under operational conditions, with the findings supporting the development of digital diagnostic tools for service life estimation and maintenance planning.
The platform is also designed to conduct safety-related testing by exposing pipelines, valves and other components to pressures of up to 900 bar, allowing researchers to analyse failure scenarios and evaluate protective measures for hydrogen transport systems.
"The test platform is intended to become a driver of innovation for the hydrogen economy. Here, companies, grid operators and research institutions can test new materials, components, monitoring procedures, as well as maintenance and repair concepts under real-world conditions," said Dr Kai Holtappels, spokesperson for the H2Safety@BAM Hydrogen Competence Centre.
The project received EUR 3.8 million in funding from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) under the federal government's economic stimulus and crisis management programme.