The large-scale hydrogen project GET H2 Nucleus is progressing. RWE Gas Storage West has ordered 1400 ball valves from Hartmann Valves for a new hydrogen storage facility in Lingen. The ball valves are intended to enable the connection of the cavern in Gronau-Epe to the planned hydrogen network. The project is part of the energy transition initiative GET H2. Within the framework of GET H2 Nucleus, the ball valves serve to connect the cavern storage in Gronau-Epe. Current ongoing work aims to prepare it for hydrogen storage. To this end, RWE is constructing additional facilities at the existing cavern on the existing compressor and withdrawal station. In addition, the energy group wants to connect the cavern via a field line for storage operations. For this project, Hartmann Valves is supplying approximately 1400 ball valves in pressure ratings PN 16, PN 100, and PN 250, according to their own information. The ball valves are used in various nominal sizes (DN 25 to DN 300) and have been specifically designed for the requirements of hydrogen storage, as stated by the company in a press release. In March 2023, RWE submitted the planning approval documents for the construction of the hydrogen cavern storage to the responsible district government of Arnsberg. The storage facility has been in planning since April 2022 and is expected to be ready by the end of 2026.
GET H2 Nucleus Promotes Energy Transition
"We are very pleased to be able to support RWE Gas Storage West in this important project," explains Werner Hartmann, Managing Director of Hartmann Valves. "Our ball valves have been proven for use in hydrogen applications for more than two decades and meet the highest quality and safety standards. Energy storage using hydrogen will play an important role in the transformation of energy infrastructure in the future." The projects of the GET H2 initiative range from production to application: In various projects, the project partners are developing technologies for the entire hydrogen value chain. This includes production through electrolysis, the construction of pipeline networks for transport, underground storage, and application in various sectors such as refineries, the steel industry, and heavy-duty transport. The project receives funding from the EU, federal government, and states as an "Important Project of Common European Interest" (IPCEI).
Hartmann Valves produces ball valves, wellhead flanges, and Kelly valves. With experience from the fields of oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, as well as power plant and storage technology, the company now aims to explore new fields such as heat production through geothermal energy, hydrogen storage, and lithium production. The family business was founded in the post-war period as a small engineering office and has since grown into a global system provider with more than 230 employees.
