Dutch gas grid operator Gasunie and German cavern storage facilities provider Storag Etzel GmbH revealed on Tuesday their joint venture to establish hydrogen storage caverns within the Etzel salt dome located in Lower Saxony, northwestern Germany.
Following a comprehensive feasibility study, the collaborative effort aims to develop and manage a multi-cavity storage facility capable of accommodating up to 1 terawatt-hour (TWh) of hydrogen.
Recognizing hydrogen's pivotal role in the future energy landscape, the companies emphasized the significance of large-scale hydrogen storage in fostering the growth of the hydrogen market. The strategic location of the storage caverns in Etzel, situated in close proximity to both the Dutch and German hydrogen markets, offers convenient access to Gasunie's forthcoming hydrogen network Hyperlink and the energy hub port of Wilhelmshaven.
Building upon their existing partnership, Gasunie and Storag Etzel have been actively engaged in the H2CAST pilot project in Etzel since January 2023. This pioneering initiative involves the experimental testing of hydrogen storage in two small existing caverns, laying the groundwork for the development of larger-scale hydrogen storage solutions.
