Hamburg-Altenwerder – The Hamburg hydrogen industry network HH-WIN is slated to supply the light metal production site in Altenwerder and the aerospace site in Finkenwerder with climate-neutral hydrogen as early as 2027.

Since the energy will flow from the southeast, the hydrogen must cross several tracks of the central port railway line in Altenwerder. To ensure the pipeline construction proceeds without interrupting freight traffic, Hamburg's energy network operator, Hamburger Energienetze, is now constructing a tunnel boring machine at a depth of approximately twelve meters. Similar to the famous Elbe tunnel boring machine Trude, a tunnel boring machine is now excavating beneath the railway line – albeit on a smaller scale: the drill head has a diameter of around 80 centimeters.

With tunnel boring methods like the one in Altenwerder, we are building in a way that minimizes disruption to freight traffic, which is vital to the port. Rail operations will continue as usual during construction. The Vollhöfner Weiden road, which runs close to the construction site and is temporarily needed as an alternative route for the A7 motorway, will also remain open to traffic with one lane in each direction.

--Michael Dammann , Technical Director of Hamburger Energienetze.

Photo: © Hamburger Energienetze

106 Meters of Tunnel Driven Under the Port Railway:

In recent months, Hamburg's energy network operator, Hamburger Energienetze, constructed the launch and reception shafts for the tunnel drive. The two cylindrical excavation pits consist of concrete pile walls and have a diameter of over seven meters. At their deepest point, they reach almost 13 meters – significantly deeper than the foundation of the railway underpass. A crane then lifted the tunnel boring machine into the launch shaft. From there, it will bore horizontally through the earth, while reinforced concrete pipes are driven into the borehole using hydraulic presses, following the drill head. Once the tunnel drive is complete, the crane will lift the drill head and the press out of the two excavation pits.

Pipelines for Hamburg's hydrogen future:

In addition to the actual hydrogen pipeline, the tunnel will also carry power and monitoring cables under the railway line, which are needed for the operation of the hydrogen network to ensure its digital control and monitoring. Hamburg's energy network operator, Hamburger Energienetze, will complete the hydrogen pipeline to Altenwerder, including the tunnel, by summer 2026.

Source:FuelCellsWorks