In the heart of Utah, just outside Delta, a revolutionary plan is underway to harness hydrogen as a clean energy solution, giving birth to a massive underground battery.
This ambitious project, spearheaded by energy giant Chevron, is set to transform the small town’s landscape and play a pivotal role in storing excess energy generated by solar and wind farms.
Utah’s hidden treasure lies beneath the Earth’s surface, where two colossal caverns, as tall as the Empire State Building, are being fashioned from geological salt formations. The process involves dissolving salt using water, creating caverns perfectly suited for storing vast quantities of energy in the form of hydrogen fuel in its gaseous state.
The project aims to harness hydrogen (H2) to its fullest potential, challenging conventional norms. Chevron’s majority stake in this venture signifies a bold step towards storing excess electricity generated during low-demand seasons (spring and fall) and redistributing it during peak demand in the scorching summer months.
The stored hydrogen fuel will be utilized in a cutting-edge plant adjacent to the caverns. This facility, replacing an aging coal-burning counterpart, will initially combine hydrogen and natural gas for electricity production. However, the ultimate goal is to transition to emission-free electricity generation by 2045, burning hydrogen as the sole fuel.
John Ward, spokesperson for Intermountain Power Agency, the utility company leading the transition, describes it as a “paradigm shift.” The project signifies a departure from traditional energy storage methods, offering a unique approach to storing renewable electricity without the intermittent challenges faced by solar and wind power.
The project’s 40 electrolyzers, powered by solar and wind energy, will split water molecules, producing green hydrogen fuel. Unlike conventional methods reliant on fossil fuels, this approach mitigates carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with global efforts to embrace sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.
The $2 billion plant, scheduled for completion by 2025, is poised to redefine Utah’s energy landscape. As the first electrolyzers arrive on-site, weighing in at 100 tons each, the facility’s grandeur matches its significance in fostering emission-free electricity generation.
