With the opening of the H₂ training track in Werne on the 12th September, the transmission system operator Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) from Essen has launched a training center that is unique in Europe.

In order to meet the requirements for handling hydrogen, OGE designed and built the H₂ training track in collaboration with expert partners such as the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) and the Gas- und Wärme-Institut Essen e. V. (GWI).

This facility enables participants to practice handling hydrogen under real conditions and to train operational procedures.

In addition to OGE employees who work at the station in Werne, the invited guests included partners of the DVGW and GWI, as well as representatives from the political sphere, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE).

Dr. Thomas Hüwener, spokesperson for the management board at OGE, opened not only the event but also the training track with his welcoming speech, emphasizing: "The transformation of the energy market will only succeed if we shape it together. With expertise, responsibility, and the courage to break new ground. The H₂ training track is an example of this and a building block for the development of the hydrogen division at OGE and in our country. It makes Werne a center of excellence for the safe and efficient handling of hydrogen in the transmission network."

Detlef Brüggemeyer, Technical Director at OGE, added: “We have installed all the important plant components for hydrogen transport here, enabling us to practice work processes under real conditions. The training courses have been designed in several modules with a high practical component.”

The first module focused on training in assembly, maintenance, and inspection in order to simulate the safe shutdown and restart of pipeline sections, plant components, and assemblies. In a further module, OGE also offers training in the safe handling of hydrogen in pipelines and plants. The modules are certified by the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) and thus meet the highest safety standards.

Following the official opening, guests were given a guided tour of the training facility, in which OGE has invested €10 million. The training courses will also be available to external companies from autumn onwards, and the first registrations have already been received.