The emergence of a green hydrogen economy
The SaltHy Harsefeld project harnesses the potential of existing gas storage facilities in order to create a European Hydrogen backbone.
As a modern and forward-looking company, Storengy sets high standards when it comes to innovation and climate neutrality. To further pursue this ambition, Storengy has teamed up with renowned partners to apply for HyExperts funding support for the SaltHy Harsefeld project. HyExperts is a funding programme for hydrogen projects run by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Receiving support from the Federal Ministry is an important prerequisite for the success of this project.
In view of the climate neutrality target for 2045-2050, primary energy in Germany must become largely based on renewable energy sources. In order to ensure that energy is available in sufficient quantities at all times, whether through imports or volatile renewable energy sources, it must be stored in large quantities and for several months at a time.
At Storengy, we believe that large-scale energy storage could be achieved in the form of hydrogen in salt caverns. We operate three salt cavern storage facilities in Germany, one of which is in Harsefeld near Hamburg. It is currently being used to store natural gas and could be expanded to include a new salt cavern for 100% hydrogen.
"Developing a hydrogen economy will require the adaptation or construction of infrastructures similar to those of today's gas sector and it will be a lengthy process. We would already like to begin leveraging the H2-potential of existing gas storage facilities and make a significant contribution to the emergence of the European Hydrogen Backbone."
Thomas Grundler, Business Development Manager at Storengy Deutschland
Our long-term goal is to store green hydrogen in the Harsefeld salt caverns and to transport the hydrogen via pipelines or by rail to local purchasers in the mobility and industrial sectors. Storing hydrogen in salt caverns offers flexibility when balancing fluctuations in production and consumption, including imports from overseas. The hydrogen is to be produced regionally by way of electrolysis with renewable electricity (on- and offshore), using, among other things, a 100 MW electrolyser in Harsefeld.
In this respect, the project serves as a pilot for an advanced method of producing, storing and transporting green hydrogen on a large scale. In doing so, Storengy is making an important contribution to the emergence of a local hydrogen network and positioning the region as a pioneer of the national hydrogen economy.
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Any questions about the project? Then please get in touch with Thomas Grundler!