• Europe’s largest annual pipeline conference with a significant increase of visitors and exhibitors
• 10 thematic sessions, 57 lectures, 247 participants from 30 countries
• DVGW Vice President Dr. Jürgen Lenz introduces the DVGW-concept for the use of excess current from wind and photovoltaic plants

After the opening of the 6th Pipeline Technology Conference during the HANNOVER MESSE 2011 by EITEP President Dr. Klaus Ritter, the DVGW Vice President and former E.ON Ruhrgas member of the board Dr. Jürgen Lenz explained the DVGW-concept for the potential use of excess current from wind and photovoltaic plants for the production of hydrogen. The hydrogen may be added to natural gas, stored via available capacities in the existing gas infrastructure and supplied for combustion. At the gas customer, the mixture may then be used for the generation of electricity and heat. This approach could support Germany’s phasing out of nuclear energy as demanded after the Fukushima incident and help the country transition into the forced entry into regenerative energies. Lectures about the development of the European gas infrastructure by Oliver Giese from E.ON Ruhrgas and an energy outlook on the year 2030 by Dr. Herm Stapelberg from ExxonMobil Europe completed the traditionally strongly debated "World Pipeline Outlook". The subsequent 54 lectures in 9 technology sessions were held under the HANNOVER MESSE motto "Get New Technologies First!". New developments and current case studies in the areas of planning, construction, optimizing operations, components, materials, rehabilitation, inline inspection, monitoring, integrity management and CO2 transport were introduced and talked over. The accompanying trade exhibition, for which companies could rent small booths, was a hot spot during the breaks and the “Get Together”. The 6 sponsors of the event did a great job making the conference’s technology sessions as well as the exhibition itself appealing. Visitors and vendors alike were very satisfied with the topicality of the conference and the accompanying trade show, and some of them have already committed to their participation in the ptc 2012. For further information about the overall event and the individual lectures, please visit www.pipeline-conference.com.