Hydrogen Options at Riga TEC‑2 (AS Latvenergo) — Research Summary (Volume I)

Overview — Why and What

This volume establishes the policy, legal and technical basis for introducing hydrogen (H2) technologies at Riga TEC-2.
It maps EU/LV regulatory requirements, applicable standards, technology blocks (electrolysis, compression, storage, blending), and
screens transport-sector use cases to frame a Power-to-X (P2X) pilot and future scaling pathways at the TEC-2 site.

Abstract

We synthesise regulatory drivers (European Green Deal, Fit-for-55, EU Hydrogen Strategy), national rules (EIA, IED/SEVESO, fire safety, ATEX, pressure equipment), and
industry standards (EN 17127, EN 17124, ISO 17268, ISO 22734, ISO 19880-1, SAE J2601/-2). Technology options include on-site electrolysis, compression to ~200 bar buffers,
multi-pressure storage and dispensing, and limited H2-in-natural-gas blending subject to Latvian quality limits. Transport demand screening covers buses, rail, trucks and in-house fleets.
The outcome is a requirements backbone for concept selection and permitting at TEC-2.

Research Objectives

  • Translate EU/LV policy and legal framework into site-ready requirements for H2 production, storage, dispensing and blending.
  • Summarise technology building blocks for a modular P2X pilot at TEC-2.
  • Outline standards for H2 quality, fueling, ATEX and pressure equipment conformity.
  • Assess indicative transport-sector demand segments relevant to early offtake.
  • Identify permitting steps and risk/HSSE implications at a large thermal power site.

Methods

We re-structured the source material into a research workflow:

  1. Policy & legal synthesis
  2. Technology scan
  3. Standards mapping
  4. Sector demand screening

Results are presented as public, non-confidential guidance.

Results

Policy & Regulatory Baseline

  • EU policy drivers: European Green Deal, Fit-for-55 package, EU Hydrogen Strategy; Gas Decarbonisation Package aiming at a hydrogen market and cross-border rules.
  • EU law touchpoints:

    • SEVESO (2012/18/EU) thresholds 5 t (lower) / 50 t (upper) for H2.
    • IED (2010/75/EU) treats H2 production as chemical industry.
    • EIA (2011/92/EU) screening required for H2 plants.
  • Latvia: H2 in NG networks currently capped at ~0.1 mol% (draft changes consider up to ~2 mol% in parts of the system not directly linked to interconnections); quality rules governed via national gas regs.
  • Planning & safety: protection zones (Aizsargjoslu likums), ATEX zoning, fire safety rules (MK 238); civil protection planning for major-hazard sites; pressure-equipment registration and inspection duties.
  • TEC-2 context: industrial zoning; A-category pollution permit in place — modifications required for any new H2 production/storage operations.

Applicable Standards

  • Fueling & fuel quality: EN 17127 (public HRS fueling), EN 17124 (fuel quality for PEM FCVs), ISO 17268 (connectors), ISO 19880-1 (general HRS requirements), SAE J2601 / J2601-2 (LDV/HDV fueling protocols).
  • Production & equipment: ISO 22734 (electrolysers), ISO 16110-1 (fuel-processing hydrogen generators), PED 2014/68/EU, ATEX 2014/34/EU, Machinery 2006/42/EC.
  • Storage & safety guidance: ISO/TR 15916 (H2 safety), ISO/TS 19883 (PSA systems), industry codes (e.g., EIGA IGC 15/06, IGC 121/14) for stations and pipelines.

Technology Options for a TEC-2 P2X Pilot

  • On-site electrolysis (PEM/AEM options) with H2 purity for mobility and industrial uses; integration with renewable electricity strategy.
  • Compression to ~200 bar supply buffers; multi-stage high-pressure compression to ~950 bar for fueling banks; modular skids for phased growth.
  • Storage: banked cylinders (Type I–IV) sized to duty cycle; separation of supply vs fueling storage; venting and fire-safe layout per ATEX and PED.
  • Dispensing: 350-bar (HDV/buses) and 700-bar (LDV) dispensers with cascade, pre-cooling and metering; protocols per EN/SAE suite.
  • Blending (HCNG): technically feasible in principle but constrained by national limits; any pipeline interface requires risk and materials compatibility assessments.
  • Renewables siting: high-level principles for sizing wind/solar to support P2X operations and grid services.

Site & Permitting Considerations at TEC-2

  • SEVESO classification depends on concurrent H2 inventory (5 t / 50 t thresholds); triggers for MAPP, Safety Report, public consultation and civil-protection planning.
  • EIA screening per LV law; pollution-permit variations to update activity description, substances, emissions, water use, noise and vibration.
  • Protection zones for pipelines and process areas; noise management and ATEX area classification to shape plot layout and equipment selection.
  • Pressure-equipment registration, inspection and operating logs; operator training, instructions and hot-work permitting in H2 areas.

Transport Demand Screening

  • Public transport: FCEV bus fleet modernisation scenarios — depot-first strategy and overnight refuelling at 350 bar.
  • Rail: shunting/mainline locomotive and passenger-train options explored; high-flow fueling standards emerging; significant storage/throughput implications.
  • Freight: heavy-duty trucking pathways and technical enablers; synergy with public HRS build-out along TEN-T.
  • In-house fleet: initial offtake from utility vehicles to stabilise HRS utilisation during early phases.

Discussion

  • Regulatory readiness: TEC-2 can host a modular P2X pilot within existing industrial zoning, subject to EIA screening, permit updates and SEVESO compliance where applicable.
  • Market linkage: early mobility offtake (buses/HDV) supports learning curve; rail and industrial uses follow with scale.
  • Risk & HSSE: ATEX zoning, emergency shutdowns, barrier design and training are central to safe integration into a thermal-plant environment.
  • Blending: national limits are the main constraint; pilot-scale HCNG requires regulatory change, materials checks and end-user compatibility.

Limitations

  • This is a condensed research summary; detailed engineering (PFD/P&ID, vendor data) and economics are out of scope.
  • Quantities are indicative and rounded; final values depend on detailed design, supplier specifications and authority feedback.
  • Policy/regulatory texts evolve; project teams must verify current legal requirements at each permitting stage.

Recommendations & Next Steps

  1. Launch concept select for a TEC-2 electrolysis-based P2X pilot with modular compression/storage and 350/700-bar dispensing.
  2. Initiate EIA screening and pollution-permit variation; prepare SEVESO documentation proportional to planned H2 inventory.
  3. Complete ATEX classification, QRA and acoustic design to define safety distances, barriers and equipment specifications.
  4. Develop a vendor-agnostic RFI/RFQ aligned to ISO/EN/SAE standards and PED/ATEX conformity; plan pressure-equipment registration and inspection regime.
  5. Coordinate early offtake with public transport/HDV stakeholders; evaluate phased rail fueling readiness as standards mature.
  6. Monitor national gas-quality rulemaking on H2 blending; consider a controlled HCNG pilot only when regulatory and asset-compatibility conditions are met.
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