How to integrate hydrogen into gas pipeline systems

How to Integrate Hydrogen into Gas Pipeline Systems

Recently, the Kyiv Academic University (KAU) became a winner of the Deep Tech Talent Initiative by the European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT) in the higher education category. Within this initiative, more than one million specialists in deep technologies were trained — including Ukrainian students, young scientists, and entrepreneurs who took KAU’s short courses and gained practical skills in materials technology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

The KAU team realized there is a strong demand for short, engaging, and practical courses, as well as for mentorship and consulting for deep-tech startups. Therefore, the university, together with international partners, applied for the next EIT competition — and won again. The Knowledge Rise project received two years of funding to develop online educational courses for students, young researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and civic innovators.

One of these courses, “Engineering Fundamentals of Green Hydrogen Integration into Gas Pipeline Systems,” is developed by Oleksii Milenin, Professor at the Kyiv Academic University and Leading Researcher at the E.O. Paton Institute of Electric Welding of the NAS of Ukraine.

“Hydrogen is the strategic fuel of the future — a clean energy source that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions,” says Professor Milenin. “The European Hydrogen Strategy directly identifies Ukraine as a potential key partner for producing and transporting green hydrogen to EU countries.”

Ukraine possesses one of the largest gas transmission systems in Europe, which could become the foundation of its hydrogen energy sector. This opens significant opportunities for postwar recovery through investment, participation in European programs, and the development of innovation infrastructure. “But to achieve this, we must understand how to integrate Ukraine’s gas infrastructure into the European hydrogen network — what can be adapted and what must be redesigned from scratch,” emphasizes Milenin.

Can we ‘just pump hydrogen’?

“Not quite,” smiles the researcher. “Hydrogen can penetrate metal structures, causing microcracks and sudden failures. That’s why comprehensive research and new engineering solutions are essential.”

The course “Engineering Fundamentals of Green Hydrogen Integration into Gas Pipeline Systems” aims to help participants understand how to find and develop such solutions.

“This online course is an attempt to translate fundamental science into the language of practical engineering,” explains Milenin. “Participants will learn about hydrogen production and properties, material compatibility, infrastructure adaptation, maintenance, and safety.”

However, the course is only the first step. The Knowledge Rise project combines three key components: education, mentorship, and innovation.

In practice, this means that lecturers will train teams interested in developing innovative projects or startups in the field of new energy. They will also provide consultations and scientific mentorship. Entrepreneurs exploring new niches in the hydrogen economy will be able to assess risks, evaluate opportunities, and choose the right direction for their business.

Engineers, technical specialists, and young innovators working with pipelines and materials will learn about hydrogen’s interaction with metals and have the opportunity to involve scientific mentors to address specific engineering challenges.

Generating Knowledge You Can Sell

“An innovative project is always science-intensive,” notes Milenin. “Such projects need two consultants: one for commercialization and one for the scientific component. A scientific mentor helps generate new ideas, technologies, and materials.”

The result of an innovation project is not just knowledge but a tangible product. “Simply put, it’s knowledge that can be sold,” explains the professor. “That’s what our science often lacks. Ukrainian researchers generate valuable knowledge but rarely commercialize it. Through this project, we’ll teach how to build an innovation component into research — something that can attract business and investment.”

The course is currently in development. “There are pipeline designs, technologies, and expert approaches,” says Milenin. “To integrate Ukraine’s gas infrastructure into the European hydrogen network, we need to look at all these aspects comprehensively.”

Although it’s impossible to cover the entire topic in just three lectures, the course will introduce the key engineering and scientific issues.

No Time for ‘Thick Books’? Enroll in a Short Course

The course will explain complex topics using real-life examples in simple terms. “I want people who may soon be told, ‘You’ll be working with hydrogen,’ to feel confident and say, ‘We know how to do it,’” says Milenin. The course will provide knowledge of materials science, engineering principles, and European hydrogen network standards.

“These short educational courses are designed for those who don’t have time to read long scientific papers,” Milenin adds. “They will also appeal to a broad audience, as we’ll cover sustainable development economics, materials science, and engineering challenges — shifting these topics from pure theory to practical implementation.”

The Knowledge Rise team expects growing interest in hydrogen energy. The demand for knowledge and scientific mentorship is already high. Researchers, engineers, and technicians all play vital roles in green energy — and this course aims to show how their expertise connects to the hydrogen economy.

According to Milenin, Knowledge Rise could also inspire other research initiatives focused on real, applicable results.

“Scientists write the laws of nature,” he says with a smile, “but engineers need to know how to apply them. That’s why we must bridge fundamental science with industrial implementation — not just discovering the laws, but showing how to use them.”

The course begins in mid-October and will consist of three lectures with slide presentations, case studies, and interactive Q&A sessions.

• Lecture 1: The role of hydrogen energy in the sustainable economy

• Lecture 2: Hydrogen and its practical challenges

• Lecture 3: Safety and maintenance of infrastructure

“Based on our research, we’ll discuss how to ensure the reliability of transporting hydrogen–gas mixtures through existing pipelines,” concludes Milenin. “I won’t have all the answers, but I’ll show the direction to find them.”

Registration available via the link below.
By Svitlana Halata