28. April: Setting the Standard - A complete set of rules for the hydrogen infrastructure
Vortrag im Rahmen der Session 2.1 Hydrogen, 14:00 - 15:45 Uhr
von Björn Munko (DVGW)

Abstract:
The development of a hydrogen infrastructure requires a coherent set of technical rules, codes and standards in order to be designed, built, approved and operated in a safe manner. International codes and standards are not sufficient to cover detail and local requirements. DVGW has now completed a complete set of codes and standards to build and operate hydrogen pipelines and infrastructure. The German hydrogen core grid with 4000 km of new-built and 6000 km of converted pipes is based on this framework and the extensive research that formed the basis for this set of rules. As the DVGW rules are not only legally recognized in Germany, but also notified in the EU, they may be applied also for the European hydrogen backbone where no local rules are available. This may in some parts enable to accelerate the progress for the European hydrogen import corridors.

The paper and presentation will cover the content of DVGW rules, their application and interaction with international standards. Insight will be provided on the work that was necessary to built up the knowledge via extensive research, which is now codified. The development of this first comprehensive set of rules has been accompanied by an extensive gap analysis on hydrogen standardisation along the entire value chain. This project known as the 'Standardization Roadmap Hydrogen Technologies' has been supported by all relevant standardization bodies in Germany, while DVGW together with DIN had the role of project management. The presentation will give insights to the challenges, processes and necessary set-up to complete this major task. The DVGW hydrogen rules are a first and may prove to bring the hydrogen development to the next level and set an example for others.

29. April: Certification of RFNBOs from the perspective of a certification body: prospects and challenges for pipeline Transport
Vortrag im Rahmen der Session 6.4 Management, 11:15 - 11:35 Uhr
von Maximilian Schicker (DVGW CERT)

Abstract:
The European Green Deal is the European Commission's political initiative to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. One key component for reaching this is the RED III which contains ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energies and sets minimum sectoral shares of RFNBOs in the transport sector (minimum of 1 % by 2030) and in industry (minimum of 42 % by 2030 and 60 % by 2035). Fuel distributors must demonstrate that they are meeting these minimum shares of RFNBOs, and they must prove that their fuels meet the minimum requirement of a 70 % reduction in emissions compared to fossil reference fuels across the entire value chain. This also includes emissions from transport. Pipeline transport is a low-emission option for this purpose.

The European Commission has created a formal certification framework for verifying compliance with the requirements for RFNBOs under RED III. Within this framework, recognised certification systems form the basis for the activities of independent certification bodies. These systems enable fuel distributors to issue Proofs of Sustainability (PoS), which are mandatory for the crediting of RFNBOs to national quotas such as the German greenhouse gas reduction quota. The basic prerequisite for issuing a PoS is the certification by an independent certification body. DVGW CERT GmbH is one of the leading certification bodies in the gas and water sector and will expand its activities to include the certification of RFNBOs in the future and is making significant progress in the application process. The presentation deals with the certification of RFNBOs from the perspective of a certification body. In addition to the legal framework, it considers the challenges for certification bodies, the requirements for plant operators along the entire value chain and the importance of pipeline transport for achieving emission reduction requirements.

30. April: Data Centres in Europe: Energy Demand, Security of Supply, and the Role of Gas Infrastructure
Vortrag im Rahmen der Session World Pipeline Outlook, 10:45 - 13:15 Uhr
von Prof. Dr. Gerald Linke (CEO, DVGW)

Abstract:
Europe’s digital transformation is accelerating rapidly, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud services, blockchain, and data-intensive business models. According to forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), electricity demand from European data centres will nearly triple by 2030, reaching over 945 TWh annually. In Germany, demand is expected to rise from about 20 TWh today to over 60 TWh by 2030. This surge faces a power grid already stretched to its limits, with expansion hindered by lengthy planning, approval processes, and infrastructure bottlenecks. In some regions, waiting times for new grid connections can reach up to ten years, threatening the pace of digital infrastructure growth. Given these challenges, attention is turning to existing gas distribution networks. 

Germany’s gas grid, spanning over 500,000 kilometres, is widely available and offers high energy performance density. Even small-diameter gas pipes can deliver several megawatts—an advantage over the electricity grid. Decentralized power generation via combined heat and power (CHP) plants at data centres enables self-sufficient, highly available energy supply, independent of overloaded power grids. Dual connections provide redundancy, enhancing reliability and resilience while reducing grid load. The gas infrastructure is also future-proof. Studies by DVGW and partners show that existing gas pipelines and CHP plants can be converted to hydrogen at manageable cost, enabling climate-neutral energy supply for data centres and supporting European climate targets. Conclusion: As electricity grid expansion lags behind digitalization, gas grids offer an immediately available, powerful, and future-proof alternative. The combination of gas infrastructure, CHP technology, and hydrogen compatibility paves the way for resilient and climate-neutral data centres in Europe. The presentation summarises the quantities and figures for this and uses specific examples to illustrate the opportunity that pipeline construction and the gas supply industry should use as a future-proof option.