The first operating phase of HyStorage with a 5% hydrogen blend was successfully completed end of January 2024, the Uniper announced. The partner companies presented the first interim results of the research project, which examines the integrity of porous rock formations for the storage of hydrogen, in the presence of Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy Hubert Aiwanger to representatives from politics and industry at the designated well site close to Uniper’s Bierwang storage facility yesterday.
The close cooperation and expertise of the five experienced European project partners Uniper, OGE, RAG Austria, SEFE Securing Energy for Europe and NAFTA including the scientific support of the test ensured that the collected data of the first phase was deeply analyzed and evaluated.
During the 7-day withdrawal phase almost 90% of the previously injected hydrogen was recovered. Analysis showed that the reservoir performance remained the same and a very homogeneous hydrogen distribution within the reservoir can be indicated. The material testing has been successfully conducted during the test in the subsurface and next to the well in a special pressure vessel. All preliminary results of the tested materials showed no influence of hydrogen corrosion.The gas composition was analyzed in detail at three points in the process to ensure the accuracy of the results and to guarantee safe operation. Microbiological activities such as methanization and sulfate reduction were observed on a small scale. In preparation for the test a special hydrogen simulation model was developed solely for the HyStorage test that simulates hydrogen and natural gas flow in the reservoir as well as microbiological activity. Tests of the model were accomplished and all data obtained will be used to calibrate the model to be able to even make more accurate future predictions.
Additional steps are planned for the upcoming project phases to investigate whether the initial results remain valid for subsequent phases with higher concentrations and further exposure to hydrogen overall. Depending on further evaluation the second operating phase will be carried out this year.
Within the HyStorage project three different natural gas/hydrogen gas mixtures with 5 per cent, 10 per cent and 25 per cent hydrogen content in the natural gas are injected into the former natural gas reservoir and then withdrawn after a three-month resting period in each case and blended into the station’s main field piping system. The first cycle with 5% hydrogen serves as a basic check of the feasibility of the installations, the second will establish comparability with other international industrial projects and the third will be a continuation and preparation for future, higher hydrogen concentrations, but also for possible hydrogen peaks due to concentration fluctuations in the natural gas infrastructure.
Uniper Energy Storage is the consortium leader, operator and responsible for the test under mining law. The consortium is further consisting of the companies OGE, RAG Austria, SEFE Securing Energy for Europe and NAFTA, which contribute their expertise, and is also supported by interdisciplinary partners from industry and science. The project has been approved by the Southern Bavarian Mining Authority.
Photo of Uniper: F.l.t.r.: Holger Kreetz (COO Uniper), Hubert Aiwanger (Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy), Holger Kreetz (COO Uniper), Christian Kosack (Project Manager Uniper Energy Storage)
Press release https://shorturl.at/tDEZ2
