The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has launched a project to examine in detail the potential for using salt caverns in the UK for the storage of hydrogen and other gases.
Some 30 large-scale salt caverns around the north of England are already used for storing natural gas. Many of these could be re-used for hydrogen storage, or new storage could be constructed in the extensive salt cavern systems, ETI says.
The ETI has selected Atkins to deliver the six-month project, which will examine in detail the potential for storing hydrogen and hydrogen gas mixtures underground. The six month project follows on from a report published last year, highlighting the potential role hydrogen storage could play in a future clean, responsive power system.
The report highlighted how a single hydrogen cavern could cater for the peak energy demands and fluctuations of a whole city.
Atkins will work with partners SSE, Storenergy and SABIC, who will provide critical data and technical expertise to assist in the development of hydrogen storage models for each of the selected caverns.
