A Comprehensive Review on Steel Pipeline Hydrogen Transmission
Published 24 June, 2026
Research Overview:
Renewable hydrogen energy acts as a key carrier for deep decarbonization. Pipeline transportation features low cost and mature technology for large-scale, long-distance hydrogen transmission, yet existing techno-economic models often overlook additional costs arising from material compatibility and operational constraints.
The research team led by Dimitri Mignard systematically evaluated technical challenges, solutions and gaps in economic analysis of hydrogen transmission via steel pipelines. This study reviews cost models from Bloomberg, IEA, EHB and other institutions, compares solutions including pipeline, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, organic carriers and power transmission, and compiles statistics on global in-service pipelines, planned projects and design standards. It conducts an in-depth analysis of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms and four core operational challenges: flow, energy storage, fatigue and leakage, and summarizes mitigation measures and their applicable scenarios, such as material selection, pressure management, coatings, inhibiting gases, pipe diameter/flow rate optimization and buffer energy storage.
This study indicates that hydrogen embrittlement, low energy efficiency, insufficient energy storage, accelerated fatigue and leakage risks are key constraints for long-distance hydrogen transmission. Additional costs should be factored in when implementing mitigation measures, while retrofitting natural gas pipeline networks can significantly reduce construction costs. It is emphasized that accurate assessment of large-scale hydrogen transmission costs and determination of the economic advantages of pipeline transportation over alternative methods necessitate the development of a techno-economic model that organically integrates material performance, operational restrictions, and mitigation strategies.
This review integrates findings from materials science, pipeline engineering and energy economics, identifies systematic flaws in existing models, pinpoints key variables and boundary conditions for more precise techno-economic analysis, and delivers critical references for hydrogen infrastructure planning, standard development and economic evaluation.
Team Introduction:
Dimitri Mignard
Dimitri Mignard, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh; and a member and registered engineer of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Energy Institute. Served as Chairman of the IChemE Scotland Member Group from 2015 to 2019. Mainly engaged in sustainable fuel preparation and renewable energy storage, with emphasis on synthesizing fuel and chemicals using variable renewable energy sources including wind energy, wave energy and tidal energy. In 2021, Dr. Mignard was nominated for the EUSA Teaching Award.
Recently published in this journal is the review "A review of the challenges, solutions and economics of hydrogen transmission in steel pipelines" by the research team of Dimitri Mignard. This review comprehensively examines the core technical challenges—including material hydrogen embrittlement, operational energy efficiency, fatigue, and leakage—faced by steel pipelines in hydrogen transmission, along with their mitigation measures, and provides systematic research guidance for building a more accurate economic assessment framework for hydrogen pipeline transportation.
Citation:
Summers, E., Race, J., Almoghayer, M.A., et al., 2026. A review of the challenges, solutions and economics of hydrogen transmission in steel pipelines. Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering 6(4), 100451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpse.2026.100451.
Original article link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667143326000211
