INDUSTRY FOCUS: INFRASTRUCTURE
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Europe’s energy market is changing, spurred by the longstanding desire for cleaner, more efficient generation and now restrictions on oil and gas from Russia. The whole concept is challenging and pricing for consumers is one of the key considerations. But it is manageable and, according to the industry leaders, now is a time for excitement and innovation as the positive transition continues. Some of the world’s largest energy majors have now fully invested in alternative energy supplies – wind, solar, hydro, wave, biomass, and more – but the industry is a highly connected and collaborative one, where you cannot simply turn off one supply and turn on another. As generators and governments turn to renewable ideas as part of the transition, those that deliver
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energy, must adapt too. Two concepts in particular are being touted as valuable future provisions – hydrogen and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS). Potentially suitable to connect into and flow through existing pipeline infrastructure, mass amounts of money are already committed to hydrogen and CCUS R&D. Thankfully, the transportation systems used for decades to move oil and gas, are also prepping for a new direction. The Rotterdam-Rijn Pijpleiding is a great example. Currently, this marvel of infrastructure delivers around 25 million tonnes totally (16 million tonnes crude oil and 9 million tonnes of products) from Rotterdam in the west of the Netherlands, across the entire country, to Venlo in the east, before transferring into Germany to the German refineries in Gelsenkirchen and
Cologne or the product pipeline of RMR. The entire system is underground; nothing unsightly, no smell, zero noise, and no physical feeling whatsoever. Since 1958, Rotterdam-Rijn-Pijpleiding Maatschappij (RRP) – with shareholders Shell and bp – has moved energy products through its 457 km pipeline with flawless safety and environmental records. Impressive pumps build pressure in Rotterdam and the flow of material begins as experts load fuels and other products from tanks at Botlek, Europoort and Maasvlakte. “For more than 64 years we have been doing this safely, reliably, and we believe we are the best at what we do in this market,” RRP Managing Director, Dick Hosman, tells Energy Focus. “Our ambition is to accelerate the energy transition and to run and maintain the future infrastructure