With the increasing shift from pure natural gas to natural gas-hydrogen mixtures and even 100% hydrogen gas flows, there is a growing need to check existing gas pipelines and networks for their adaptability and resistance to hydrogen molecules. As Austria’s leading testing, inspection and certification service provider, TÜV AUSTRIA is on hand to provide advice and support, with a focus on safety-relevant processes.
From data analysis to evaluation
TÜV AUSTRIA recently provided support in the evaluation of an existing natural gas pipeline of Wiener Netze for the transportation of up to 100% hydrogen. The focus was on researching standards and examining the state of the art. Specifically, the use of materials and welding seams for hydrogen transportation was examined. The special challenge in this project was that essential data had to be extracted from documents that were more than 30 years old using data mining. For this purpose, a separate database was created with all the necessary data for the relevant sections (Simmering to Donaustadt power plant and Donaustadt power plant to Aderklaa). This included the type of various components, their material, age, diameter, wall thickness, heat treatment condition and fracture toughness value. This was followed by comprehensive analysis and evaluation procedures to assess the existing natural gas pipeline and to determine the safety factor of the pipe string and calculate the maximum allowable operating pressure (MOP) based on the available information.
The detail is in the molecule
As hydrogen (H2) is a much smaller molecule than natural gas (CH4), it can penetrate the material more easily and also penetrate seals more easily, for example. In addition, hydrogen can cause limited material defects such as (hairline) cracks and small corrosion spots to grow. The strength properties of materials, such as hardness, tensile strength and impact strength, are impaired and lead to hydrogen embrittlement. Therefore, a thorough investigation and evaluation must be carried out to assess whether existing networks are suitable for the transportation of hydrogen.
Renewable hydrogen
CertifHy EU RFNBO Scheme:
TÜV AUSTRIA recognised as a CertifHy certification body
TÜV AUSTRIA further strengthens its role as a competent and independent partner for the certification of renewable hydrogen and e‑fuels in the European market.
AI Artificial Intelligence & Automotive Industry
Automotive industry professionals deep dive into
TÜV AUSTRIA´s TRUSTED AI
“Safe and Certifiable AI Systems“, TÜV AUSTRIA’s second AI white paper, marked a milestone in the group’s long-standing research efforts, offering enterprises a practical and realistic blueprint for ensuring trust in AI. As Leon Xu, Head of TÜV AUSTRIA China’s Automotive Service Division, emphasized, “AI will undeniably shape our future—but safety and trust must remain the baseline.” The white paper’s insights into risk management, emerging regulations, and future certification approaches set the tone for the event’s overarching message: “Trusted AI is the foundation for sustainable innovation.”
Independent third-party solutions drive competitiveness & sustainability
TÜV AUSTRIA Group had the pleasure and privilege of being represented at a special gathering at the Austrian Embassy in Rome, hosted on the occasion of the visit of Dr. Eva Liebmann, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. TÜV AUSTRIA Italia´s managing director Crescenzo Di Fratta, emphasized the strong role and commitment of TÜV AUSTRIA Group in supporting companies.
International Day of Forests
On this year’s International Day of Forests, TÜV AUSTRIA is presenting an ambitious project: the “TÜV AUSTRIA Forests of the Future.” Since 2024, the internationally active Austrian group of companies has been sending a strong signal for climate protection and social responsibility. As a visible and long-term commitment to sustainability, the first company-owned forests were created in Romania, an important core market for TÜV AUSTRIA in Europe.
Cybersecurity
Security Breaches
TÜV AUSTRIA TRUST IT Greece: It´s a discipline issue
The latest security research from IBM highlights a striking reality: despite AI-driven attacks and increasingly sophisticated threat actors, many successful breaches still begin with basic security failures.
Artificial Intelligence
Distortions and performance gaps
AI is not a sure-fire success
Representative and accurately labeled test data is crucial for building trust in AI systems and reducing risks. It enables valid measurement of key performance indicators and reliably reveals distortions or performance gaps.
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