Fraunhofer Advances Numerical Simulation Technology to Enable More Resilient and Secure Hydrogen Energy Networks

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Resilient infrastructure is critical for stable hydrogen supply. Simulation tools developed at Fraunhofer EMI analyze network reactions to disruptions and help mitigate risks due to extreme events.

(IN BRIEF) Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new hydraulic simulation tool to improve the resilience of hydrogen transport networks, addressing key challenges in the energy transition. The tool enables detailed analysis of how hydrogen systems respond to disruptions such as natural disasters or supply interruptions, providing insights into system behavior, recovery timelines, and critical vulnerabilities. Built on algorithms from the EU SecureGas project and adapted for hydrogen’s unique physical properties, the software can simulate both static and dynamic conditions, including pressure and flow changes. It also incorporates storage systems, highlighting their importance in maintaining supply stability, although larger capacities are required compared to natural gas networks. Designed for use across local and international networks, the tool offers valuable support for infrastructure planning, risk assessment, and decision-making, helping to ensure secure and resilient hydrogen supply systems.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 4-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics Ernst-Mach-Institut are advancing new numerical simulation methods designed to improve the resilience of hydrogen transport networks, a critical component of the global energy transition. The initiative focuses on supporting the safe and reliable deployment of hydrogen infrastructure as demand for fossil-free energy sources continues to grow.

Green hydrogen, often generated from surplus renewable energy such as wind and solar, is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of future energy systems. However, transporting and storing hydrogen via pipeline networks presents unique risks, including disruptions caused by natural disasters, technical failures, or geopolitical factors. To address these challenges, Fraunhofer researchers are developing a hydraulic simulation tool capable of analyzing how hydrogen networks respond to extreme disruption scenarios.

The software enables detailed “what-if” analyses, allowing network planners to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate the severity of potential failures, and assess the overall resilience of infrastructure systems. By simulating dynamic network behavior, the tool provides insights into how disruptions unfold over time, including which areas lose supply and how long recovery may take. According to Till Martini, the system can model even severe cases, such as prolonged disconnections lasting up to 30 hours, offering a comprehensive view of network-wide impacts.

The simulation approach builds on earlier work from the SecureGas project, where similar algorithms were developed to model natural gas networks under non-standard operating conditions. The Fraunhofer team has adapted and expanded these methods to account for the distinct physical properties of hydrogen, including its lower density, higher diffusion rate, and different pressure requirements. The enhanced tool also integrates storage systems, enabling flexible modeling of various storage types and their role in maintaining supply stability.

One of the key advancements is the ability to deliver rapid, continuous predictions of system performance before, during, and after disruptions. This capability supports both operational decision-making and long-term infrastructure planning. The simulations also demonstrate that expanding hydrogen storage capacity can significantly improve network resilience by compensating for supply interruptions, although larger volumes are required compared to natural gas due to hydrogen’s lower energy density.

The tool is designed to be applicable across a wide range of network scales, from local distribution systems to international hydrogen transport corridors. By providing detailed forecasts of system behavior and recovery timelines, it offers valuable guidance for energy providers, infrastructure operators, and policymakers working to ensure secure and stable hydrogen supply systems.

Through these developments, Fraunhofer is contributing to the creation of robust hydrogen networks that can withstand disruptions while supporting the broader transition to sustainable energy systems.

Media Contact:

Alina Welsen
PR and Communications
Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI
Ernst-Zermelo-Straße 4
79104 Freiburg, Germany
Phone: +49 761 2714-422
Mobile: +49 171 3110029
email: alina.welsen@emi.fraunhofer.de

SOURCE: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft