Tube transport in response to major transitions

A special party within underground infrastructure is BIG in Pipelines. This platform brings together all parties who - in one way or another - have something to do with underground infrastructure. Collectively, they look at major movements such as energy transition, CO2 reduction and the search for new transport options. 

At the Flemish-Dutch association BIG in Pipelines are member companies, institutions, contractors, engineering firms, transportation companies and government agencies. In early 2020, the association was poised to celebrate its 30th anniversary, but then Covid-19 threw a spanner in the works. "We were certainly entrusted with that celebration," says Han Admiraal, president of BIG in Pipelines. "But our ambition goes beyond conviviality. Within the platform, we collectively investigate what pipes, tubes and pipelines can mean within energy transition, CO2 reduction and alternative transport modes. We do this as an independent body, so that all members can broaden their knowledge and strengthen each other." 

Collectivity necessary

Within BIG in Pipelines, the major shifts are seen not as changes taking place in this era, but as the first signals of a changing era. From this perspective, the time when we manipulated the environment to our liking and depleted resources is coming to an end. "We must now make ourselves resilient as a society by keeping the earth clean," Admiral argues. "We need to tap alternative energy sources and move goods around the globe in a different way. Transitions of this magnitude can only be saved from collectivity. Companies must connect, raw materials must be exchanged and the large chemical clusters must join forces."  

Durability and Reliability

BIG in Pipelines conducts debates based on four themes. Within the Sustainability theme, the platform follows the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Within the theme of Reliability, BIG in Pipelines sees great potential for transportation pipelines. Admiral: "Pipes and pipelines have always been a very reliable means of transportation; major incidents have never occurred. Currently, 60% of the raw materials from Rotterdam are transported by pipe. You shouldn't think about this happening in tankers across the highway."

Connection and Knowledge

The theme of Connection is interpreted broadly within the platform. Not only do people need to connect to initiate major transitions, pipeline systems will also need to be connected. But Admiral is most concerned about the theme of Knowledge. "The transitions require new knowledge. Within BIG we have been working for years with the Pipeliner Foundation on an HBO Master's degree program at Avans+. This training is to be paid for entirely by the sector itself. The pipelines between Rotterdam and Antwerp, for example, have also been constructed entirely by private parties. The big question now is what role the government plays in the construction of new pipeline networks. Should investors already be found within the private sector, the construction is very complex in terms of permits and must be negotiated with many individual landowners."

"By the way, BIG in Pipelines does have discussions with the government," Admiral concludes. "We are doing everything we can to raise awareness of the importance of pipeline networks."