Hydrogen salt cavern storage (H2SaltCavern)
Joint industry project
Challenge
Storing hydrogen in salt caverns can play a considerable role in helping deliver the energy transition while meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement. Hydrogen storage at scale will be used for various purposes in different regions such as energy security, decarbonizing industrial processes, balancing supply and demand, and maximising recovery of variable electricity from wind and solar. As the energy transition accelerates, the number of caverns is expected to increase significantly. The underlying question is whether existing standards for natural gas salt cavern storage could be applied to hydrogen.
Hydrogen salt cavern storage require adequate design to meet regulatory and permitting requirements and may also include repurposing of natural gas assets. extensive feedback on the most urgent challenges. Following studies by the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs KEM-28, DVGW Standardization Roadmap H2 2024 (Germany Federal Ministry Economic Affairs) and SMRI on development areas, DNV proposes to develop guidelines to demonstrate acceptable levels of safety and reliability for:
- Hydrogen blowout consequence
- Impact of surface fire and explosion
- Mechanical Integrity Testing (MIT)
- Cement compatibility and degradation
Objective
DNV will bring together relevant stakeholders on a 2.5-year project to develop a European focused and rationalized safety approach for development and operation of salt caverns for storage of H2. The JIP will review the applicability of natural gas storage procedures to H2 storage for surface effects of a blowout, fire plume behavior, explosion behavior, exclusion zones and poisoning from toxic emissions. The study will also investigate the validity of existing separation distances & exclusion zones for hydrogen repurposing, validity of integrity testing with nitrogen as test gas, use of existing cement technology and effect of impurities etc.
Approach
The scope will consist of phase 1 and phase 1 extension. Phase 1 (base case) will focus on data gathering, assessment of state-of-the-art practices, gap analysis, scenario development followed by modelling and analysis with potential testing to cover the identified gaps. The extension of phase 1 will address further analysis/ testing for these themes or alternative themes based on project member needs.
Project details
The project aims to kick-off in Q1 2025, subject to funding and partners. The outcome will be dedicated guidelines and practices enhancing confidence in usage of salt caverns for H2 storage. Companies are requested to express intent to participate (subject to scope and contract) by 15 October 2024 for receipt of a formal proposal.
Benefits
The project will facilitate the permitting and certification of H2 salt caverns around these safety risks and give participants the opportunity to influence best practice.