SUMMARY

H2CAST is the hydrogen storage pilot project in the Etzel caverns in the German state of Lower Saxony. [Image: Gasunie]

By Shardul Sharma

Gasunie on January 17 announced it will become a partner in H2CAST, the hydrogen storage pilot project in the Etzel caverns in the German state of Lower Saxony.

With H2CAST, which stands for H2 CAvern Storage Transition, Storag Etzel and Gasunie, together with project partners, aim to enable large-scale hydrogen storage in the salt caverns near Etzel.

The first step involves a pilot project in which two of the existing salt caverns will be made suitable for hydrogen storage and connected by an above-ground installation. Within the pilot project, Gasunie will be responsible for the above ground facility to connect the two hydrogen caverns. The pilot project is expected to be ready in 2026.

The storage caverns in Etzel is strategically located with a perfect connection to the Dutch and German hydrogen market, near the future Gasunie hydrogen network HyPerLink and the port of Wilhelmshaven, Gasunie said.

H2CAST Etzel is co-funded by the state of Lower Saxony and the federal government of Germany.

Storag Etzel and Gasunie are working together in this pilot project with the partners, Deep.Kbb, DLR, Hartmann Valves, Socon and TU Clausthal.