Dexon TechnologyFrance is laying the groundwork for a new era of energy, and HySoW is leading the way.
Short for “Hydrogène Sud-Ouest” (Hydrogen South-West), HySoW will transform southwestern France into a hydrogen hub.
The project is led by Teréga, one of the country’s major gas operators, and will repurpose and build pipelines to transport hydrogen across industrial zones.
The ultimate goal: a 600 km hydrogen pipeline network connecting supply, storage, and demand points throughout the region.
The network will provide 15TWh/year of decarbonized hydrogen across the South West.
To put that into perspective, that equals the consumption of 2.2 million French citizens.
Why It Matters
As Europe shifts away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is emerging as a leading alternative, especially for hard-to-electrify industries.
According to the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, “[Hydrogen’s] versatility as an energy carrier makes it ideal for heavy manufacturing, long-distance transportation, aviation, and maritime shipping.”
The HySoW corridor is central to this transition, reducing emissions while preserving competitiveness.
The Challenge
Unlike natural gas, hydrogen presents unique risks.
It rapidly cracks many materials, is able to leak from tiny gaps, operates at high pressures, and readily explodes.
Heightened risks require careful adaption and regular inspection of infrastructure—especially repurposed pipelines.
Enter Inspection
One of the first hydrogen lines in the HySoW corridor has already undergone inspection by Dexon Technology’s UT-CD Hawk, an advance in-line inspection tool using ultrasonic technology.
The all-around inspection was to ensure that the pipeline can transport the volatile molecule safely before going operational.
The inspection will set the standard for what follows.
Looking Ahead
With EU support, industrial demand, and aggressive conservation goals, HySoW is a glimpse into Europe’s energy future.
As more pipelines come online, rigorous inspection and collaboration between operators and inspectors will be the backbone of its success.
Dexon is proud to be a part of this region’s future, and we look forward to helping preserve its safety for generations to come.