SHIMMER DATABASE

The database was developed with the objective of compiling and organizing essential information as a comprehensive digital repository. The significance of the database lies not only in its status as a comprehensive European-wide information repository, but also due to the information gathered from great range of sources, including open-source information, as well as data collected from participating European transmission and distribution system operators (TSOs and DSOs) and previous international projects.

While we made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site provides a comprehensive view on the European natural gas network and represents material wise its diversity, it was provided by the following participating transmission and distribution gas operators participating in the project: Gassco (Norway), Gaz-System (Poland), SNAM (Italy), and Enagas (Spain) as operators of high-pressure transmission systems for natural gas and Inrete (Italy) and Redexis (Spain), as operators for local distribution of natural gas to end users within regional networks. The total length of pipeline included in the database is: 43,195 km, which is approximately 2.2% of the total estimated pipeline length in Europe.

In details the Shimmer Database covers about 14.3% of the transmission pipeline network and 0.8% of the distribution pipeline network across the EU shown in the following figure [1].

Distribution of pipeline distance covered in SHIMMER with relationship to the European TSO (a) and DSO (b) infrastructure.

[1] https://hydrogeneurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024.10_HE_Hydrogen-Infrastructure-Report.pdf

Data categorization

We have divided the database into the following 5 main categories to ensure better organization and accessibility on the website.

Infrastructure: Pipelines and Valves

This section ensures easy access to critical information, supporting consistent hydrogen compatibility assessments across Europe’s interconnected gas networks. The principal of this category is the organization of robust datasets and a more detailed and structured format of data obtained from TSOs and DSOs within the European infrastructure

Standards and Technical Standardization Committees

This category comprises guidelines from the international standardization organization (ISO) and other standardization organizations, focusing on the oil and gas industry divided by relevant committees, guidelines, and specifications for assessing material compatibility with hydrogen.

Reports on Material Testing from selected projects

The table is based on investigation conducted as part of two distinct projects. Firstly, the SyWest H2 project, which was conducted by the “German association for gas and water” (DVGW). In this project, selected steels used for natural gas pipelines and plants were analyzed and their suitability with hydrogen was assessed. Secondly, the “HIGGS Project report presents important findings on material performance in hydrogen environments, addressing concerns such as embrittlement and degradation.