As the global quest for clean and sustainable energy intensifies, the HyStorage research project has taken a pivotal step to explore the viability of using porous rock formations for hydrogen storage.
This innovative endeavor seeks to shed light on the feasibility and integrity of pore storage facilities, laying the groundwork for a potential game-changer in the energy transition. Spearheaded by Uniper Energy Storage, the project unites a consortium of industry leaders including OGE, RAG Austria, SEFE Securing Energy for Europe, and NAFTA, backed by interdisciplinary partners from academia and industry.
The heart of the project lies in its gas-technical unit, a specialized facility set up at Uniper Energy Storage’s Bierwang site. This unit is poised to undergo rigorous testing as it injects hydrogen into porous rock formations. With the commissioning underway, the first phase of hydrogen injection is scheduled to begin in September.
Uniper Energy Storage is at the forefront, leading the consortium as the operator and responsible entity under mining law. The collective expertise of the consortium members, supplemented by cross-disciplinary partnerships, underscores the commitment to exploring innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon energy landscape.
The ambitious storage test envisages the injection of methane-hydrogen gas mixtures into a former natural gas reservoir. With hydrogen contents ranging from 5% to 25%, the experiment aims to assess storage feasibility across different hydrogen concentrations. The project’s uniqueness lies in its three-phase approach, coupled with a standstill period of approximately three months before gas withdrawal. Importantly, the storage horizon operates independently of the existing Bierwang natural gas storage facility.
Hydrogen has emerged as a linchpin in the pursuit of decarbonizing the European energy market. Beyond the scope of pure hydrogen pipelines, the integration of hydrogen into the natural gas grid is on the horizon. Porous rock storage facilities are positioned as a beacon of promise, offering voluminous storage solutions that harmonize with the intermittency of renewable energies.
Collaboration and partnerships underpin the project’s success. Dr. Thomas Hüwener of OGE emphasizes the importance of gas quality monitoring, a critical aspect to ensure the interchange between hydrogen transport and storage.
HyStorage project’s comprehensive approach necessitates individual site investigations. Bolstered by the expertise of its partners and rigorous scientific analysis, the project aspires to present reliable technical assessments for hydrogen storage in porous rock formations by 2024. This ambitious undertaking not only shapes the future of energy storage but also holds the potential to reshape the energy landscape.
