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Currently, the German Federal Ministry of Economics is presenting long-term scenarios that detail possible energy transition pathways. The demand for future hydrogen and gas storage is being studied.
The Ministry stated in a webinar on energy supply that achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 will result in a hydrogen storage demand of 47 to 73 TWh (H2). Hydrogen-based flexibility, according to ministry consultants, is a key technology for the energy transition. Because hydrogen has a lower calorific value (3.54 kWh/m3) than natural gas (11.1 kWh/m3), it has a temporary gas storage capacity of 147 to 229 TWh (CH4).
Germany currently has a gas storage capacity of about 253 TWh. Porous rock storage and depleted gas fields account for 90 TWh, while cavern storage facilities account for 163 TWh. INES and other actors are currently investigating how much will be left after necessary transofrmation steps and how those steps will affect energetic storage capacity.
Sebastian Bleschke, Managing Director of the Initiative Erdgasspeicher (INES) comments: “It is very important that the Ministry of Economics develops a closer look at the energy transition in the long-term scenarios. The scenarios bring clarity in many areas. As the National Hydrogen Strategy failed to deal with storage, we are glad that there is substantial model for future storage demands now. The stated demands show clearly: Gas and Hydrogen Storage is a key part of a carbon-neutral energy system in the future. They adapt to the requirements of the energy transition. To perform necessary transitions in existing facilities and build new ones, storage system operators work closely and constructively with the authorities.”
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