Estonia

Eesti vesiniku teekaart

The Estonian roadmap is focused on the first of three hydrogen deployment periods – 2021-2030. The main topics in the roadmap are R&D, project implementation, increase of renewable energy and adoption of legislation and standards.

PRODUCTION

For this first period, hydrogen production will come from the implementation of projects funded by the EU or national funds. More concrete actions for the period include the definition of appropriate legal frameworks, increase of renewable energy capacity and sustainable sourcing of water and CO2.

EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The strategy places focus on training specialist, experts and engineers for the development of hydrogen technologies. It also highlights the existing R&D initiatives by universities and companies with focus on hydrogen production technology and especially solid oxide electrolysers and fuel cells, which intends to support in the 2023-2030 period.

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

For transmission and distribution, the goal is to set the legislative framework to enable storage, distribution and transmission infrastructures. Furthermore, a study to be completed by 2023 by the transmission system operator will evaluate the integration of hydrogen in existing natural gas transmission infrastructure. As there are no salt caverns in Estonia, the possibility to store hydrogen will be evaluated by the Latvian transmission system operator in the Incukalns storage facility. For the transport of hydrogen, cylinders on trucks are seen the best way to transport H2 in the short term, while depending on distance, volume and consumption, pipelines between production and consumption sites might be viable.

CROSS-CUTTING

Cross-cutting measures included target the development of regional cooperation with other European countries to harness the renewable energy potential of Estonia for hydrogen production and to develop the hydrogen manufacturing of Estonian companies. Additionally, the increase of awareness of hydrogen technologies is foreseen.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing of hydrogen technologies is a key component of the roadmap, as the state will support it with an investment of at least EUR67mln from the national budget and with EUR49mln for hydrogen deployment under the national recovery and resilience plan.

END-USES

Mobility

For mobility one of the national focus areas is establishment of the necessary refuelling stations under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, for which the actual need, technical feasibility and cost will need to be assessed depending on demand forecasts. Additionally, an analysis will be carried out for the possible procurement of fuel-cell powered ferries. Lastly, the evaluation of locally produced hydrogen for energy security will be evaluated with the purpose to create national crisis reserves.