Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HyUsPRe (Hydrogen Underground storage in Porous Reservoirs)
Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2022-12-31
The HyUSPRe project (Hydrogen Underground Storage in Porous Reservoirs) researches the feasibility and potential of implementing large-scale storage of renewable hydrogen in porous reservoirs in Europe. This includes the identification of suitable geological reservoirs for hydrogen storage in Europe and an assessment of the feasibility of implementing large-scale storage in these reservoirs technologically and economically towards 2050. The project will address specific technical issues and risks regarding storage in porous reservoirs and conduct an economic analysis to facilitate the decision-making process regarding the development of a portfolio of potential field pilots. A techno-economic assessment, accompanied by environmental, social and regulatory perspectives on implementation will allow for the development of a roadmap for widespread hydrogen storage in Europe towards 2050. The roadmap will elucidate the role and impact of large-scale hydrogen storage for achieving a zero-emissions energy system in Europe by 2050.
This project has two specific objectives. The first objective concerns the assessment of the technical feasibility, risks, and potential of large-scale underground hydrogen storage in porous reservoirs in Europe. HyUSPRe will establish the important geochemical, microbiological, flow and transport processes in porous reservoirs in the presence of hydrogen via a combination of laboratory-scale experiments and integrated modelling, establish more accurate cost estimates and identify the potential business case for hydrogen storage in porous reservoirs. Suitable stores will be identified, and their hydrogen storage potential will be assessed. The second objective concerns the development of a roadmap for the deployment of underground hydrogen storage up to 2050. The proximity of hydrogen storage facilities to large renewable energy infrastructure and the amount of renewable energy that can be buffered versus time varying demands will be evaluated. This will form the basis to develop future scenario roadmaps and prepare for demonstrations.
This project has two specific objectives. The first objective concerns the assessment of the technical feasibility, risks, and potential of large-scale underground hydrogen storage in porous reservoirs in Europe. HyUSPRe will establish the important geochemical, microbiological, flow and transport processes in porous reservoirs in the presence of hydrogen via a combination of laboratory-scale experiments and integrated modelling, establish more accurate cost estimates and identify the potential business case for hydrogen storage in porous reservoirs. Suitable stores will be identified, and their hydrogen storage potential will be assessed. The second objective concerns the development of a roadmap for the deployment of underground hydrogen storage up to 2050. The proximity of hydrogen storage facilities to large renewable energy infrastructure and the amount of renewable energy that can be buffered versus time varying demands will be evaluated. This will form the basis to develop future scenario roadmaps and prepare for demonstrations.
HyUSPRe started in October 2021. The initial months were used to set up the research program according to the proposal. As HyUSPRe has an extensive geochemical, geomechanical and microbiological experimental work program, experiments had to be defined and both fluid and rock samples to be collected from industrial project partners. Research activities in all seven technical work packages have been started and the HyUSPRe team has published a first set of reports on the projects website. Published information includes, among other, a report about the hydrogen storage potential of existing European gas storages which is accompanied by a interactive GIS StoryMap. Also, a review report about available experimental data for well and rock materials under cyclic hydrogen influence has been produced. Another report informs about potential hydrogen supply from renewable energy resources, hydrogen demand centers in Europe and the hydrogen transport infrastructure. All reports are available on the projects website (www.hyuspre.eu). In order to inform Europe's hydrogen community, specifically colleagues interested in hydrogen underground storage, the HyUSPRe consortium has published in the first project year three newsletters and has held two webinars. The first webinar was organized as knowledge sharing workshop together with H2020 project Hystories.
HyUSPRe makes good progress according to the initial project plan. The international consortium consisting of research institutions and industrial partners strives to develop a roadmap evaluating different scenarios for hydrogen storage options in porous media in Europe in the coming decennia. The roadmap should not only show various hydrogen storage options but also assess the feasibility, risks and barriers different underground storage technologies could face. The hydrogen storage roadmap will be presented during the close out meeting of HyUSPRe in autumn 2023. Until then, the consortium will keep on informing the hydrogen community about newly published reports by regular newsletters and webinars.