In the municipality of Etzel, located in Lower Saxony, Germany, the companies Gasunie and Storag Etzel have begun the process of filling subway caverns with approximately 90 tons of renewable hydrogen, thus moving into the next phase of the ambitious H2CAST project.
This project seeks to validate the operational and commercial viability of hydrogen storage in existing salt caverns, a decisive step in the European energy transformation. Currently, the “H2CAST Ready” phase has been successfully completed, demonstrating the impermeability and suitability of the caverns for large-scale hydrogen storage.
Now begins the “H2CAST Prove” phase, which will include construction of the surface plant and operational validation of the entire system.
Strategic location for the German-Dutch market
The location of the storage facility in Etzel is considered strategic due to its proximity to both the port of Wilhelmshaven and the future hydrogen backbone network. hydrogen backbone. This enables an efficient connection to the hydrogen market in Germany and the Netherlands, boosting the development of a resilient and sustainable energy network.
In addition, Plug Powera key supplier in the supply chain, has begun delivering renewable hydrogen from its Werlte plant, located 90 kilometers south of the Etzel site. This collaboration reinforces the importance of industrial partnerships in boosting the hydrogen sector.
Hydrogen storage in caverns for a sustainable energy future
Gasunie and Storag Etzel aim to create a flexible storage facility that can reach up to 1 TWh of capacity, establishing a reference model for future expansion. According to Boris Richter, CEO of Storag Etzel, the project will provide crucial data for the conversion of more caverns in Germany, strengthening Lower Saxony’s position as a central hydrogen node in Europe.
For his part, Marc van der Linden, director of development for Gasuniesaid that this breakthrough represents a decisive step to ensure the safe start of the hydrogen market in the region, allowing a smooth integration with existing energy grids.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by high-level political figures, including Christian Meyer, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection, and Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economics, Transport, Construction and Digitalization. Both highlighted the importance of subway storage as a key element in meeting climate targets and ensuring energy security.
The conversion of natural gas natural gas to hydrogen reinforces Germany’s commitment to the energy transition, making it possible to tap into surplus renewable energy and facilitating industrial decarbonization in critical sectors such as green steel.
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Source and photos: Storag Etzel
