Uniper has taken a groundbreaking step towards sustainable energy storage in Krummhörn, East Frisia. The energy provider has commissioned an underground hydrogen storage facility known as the "Hydrogen Pilot Cavern" (HPC). This innovative installation, located 1.7 km below the earth's surface, can store up to 500,000 m³ of hydrogen.
Technical Details and Testing Phase
The HPC has a cavity volume of approximately 3,000 m³, enabling a total storage capacity of nearly 500,000 Nm³ of green hydrogen. The test operation is scheduled to begin on September 24, 2024, starting with a leak test before the initial filling with green hydrogen. In the following year, extensive tests with various charging and discharging cycles will be conducted.
If successful, Uniper plans to further expand the facility. In a first expansion stage, the capacity is to be increased to up to 250 GWh of hydrogen, with the goal of reaching a storage capacity of around 600 GWh by 2030. The company is investing a low double-digit million euro amount in the project, supported by funding of nearly 2.4 million euros from the Lower Saxony Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Protection.
Research and Development for the Energy Transition
During the project period, extensive investigations will be carried out. These include tests on the hydrogen compatibility of equipment and materials, data collection on the quality of the extracted hydrogen, and studies on thermodynamics and rock mechanics. A special hydrogen test facility will be used to analyze gas quality under various conditions.
The Krummhörn site complements the nearby "Green Wilhelmshaven" project, where Uniper is planning a large ammonia import terminal. These developments underscore the growing importance of the region as an "energy hub" in Central Europe, favored by its proximity to the wind-rich North Sea and its connection to existing and future energy infrastructures.
Significance for the Future of Energy Supply
Uniper CEO Michael Lewis emphasized the central role of hydrogen in the energy transition: "Hydrogen connects security of supply and decarbonization." He underlined the necessity of large-scale storage possibilities alongside transport networks for successful implementation.
Lower Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies, highlighted the importance of the project for the national and international hydrogen ramp-up. He sees the HPC as an opportunity to gain essential experience that could pave the way for large-scale commercial hydrogen storage.
The HPC is a core component of Uniper's "Greener Gases" strategy and is intended to serve as a pioneer for commercial hydrogen storage projects. In the long term, the company aims to contribute to a stable and potentially low-emission energy supply in Germany and Europe.
