Snam, Linde Form Hydrogen Pact

Italian gas grid operator Snam has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany's Linde to develop clean hydrogen projects and related infrastructure in Europe, the pair said on December 7.

The two companies will jointly promote technologies across the hydrogen value chain and create opportunities for joint investments in commercial projects, ranging from hydrogen production, distribution, compression and storage.

"Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in achieving the European Green Deal targets," Linde CEO Steve Angel said in a statement. "We are very pleased to collaborate with Snam, a recognised leader at the forefront of the energy transition, in the development of the clean hydrogen economy in Europe."

"With this agreement, we combine the know-how and innovative capabilities of both Linde and Snam in order to contribute to scaling-up hydrogen and reaching climate goals, aligned with the European Hydrogen Strategy," Snam CEO Marco Alvera added. "The collaboration with one of the world’s leading companies in the sector strengthens our role as operator along the hydrogen value chain and lays the foundation for new joint projects."

 Snam has been experimenting with 10% blending of hydrogen in its gas flow in Italy, and has also developed the world's first hybrid hydrogen-blend turbine for gas networks, in partnership with Baker Hughes. This turbine is due to be installed at a compressor station in Italy next year. The company is devoting half of its €7.4bn ($9bn) of its 2020-2024 investment plan to developing "hydrogen-ready" infrastructure, as it sets its sights on becoming carbon neutral by 2040.

Snam and Linde are both shareholders in ITM Power, a UK developer of green hydrogen solutions.