Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HYPSTER (Hydrogen pilot storage for large ecosystem replication)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31
The project HyPSTER aims to demonstrate the industrial-scale operation of cyclic hydrogen storage in salt caverns to support the emergence of the hydrogen energy economy in Europe in line with overall Hydrogen Europe road-mapping. The cavern is located in Etrez, in the AuRA region. For the production of green hydrogen, the Etrez storage site will rely on local renewable energy sources (photovoltaic, hydroelectric) and a 1-MW electrolyser.
The project brings together 9 European partners including 2 RTOs for technology development, and 6 industries including 2 SME, plus 1 public-private cluster association to ensure maximum dissemination and uptake of HYPSTER results.
The specific objectives are to:
1) Define relevant cyclic tests to be performed based on modelling and the needs of emerging hydrogen regions across Europe
2) Demonstrate the viable operation of H2 cyclic storage for the full range of use-cases of emerging European hydrogen regions
3) Assess the economic feasibility of large-scale cyclic H2 storage to define the roadmap for future replication across the EU
4) Assess the risks and environmental impacts of H2 cyclic storage in salt caverns and provide guidelines for safety, regulations and standards
5) Commit at least 3 companies to using the hydrogen storage and 3 potential sites to replicate the cyclic hydrogen storage elsewhere in Europe on a commercial-scale by the end of the project
To achieve this, the following main phases have been identified:
• 2020: Definition of the regulatory framework for the project. Reception of financing by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, signature of the consortium agreement.
• 2021: Basic and detailed engineering studies.
• 2022: Construction of the hydrogen production platform and of the EZ53 Salt cavern.
• 2023: Experimentation of hydrogen storage in a salt cavern and start hydrogen production.
The project brings together 9 European partners including 2 RTOs for technology development, and 6 industries including 2 SME, plus 1 public-private cluster association to ensure maximum dissemination and uptake of HYPSTER results.
The specific objectives are to:
1) Define relevant cyclic tests to be performed based on modelling and the needs of emerging hydrogen regions across Europe
2) Demonstrate the viable operation of H2 cyclic storage for the full range of use-cases of emerging European hydrogen regions
3) Assess the economic feasibility of large-scale cyclic H2 storage to define the roadmap for future replication across the EU
4) Assess the risks and environmental impacts of H2 cyclic storage in salt caverns and provide guidelines for safety, regulations and standards
5) Commit at least 3 companies to using the hydrogen storage and 3 potential sites to replicate the cyclic hydrogen storage elsewhere in Europe on a commercial-scale by the end of the project
To achieve this, the following main phases have been identified:
• 2020: Definition of the regulatory framework for the project. Reception of financing by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, signature of the consortium agreement.
• 2021: Basic and detailed engineering studies.
• 2022: Construction of the hydrogen production platform and of the EZ53 Salt cavern.
• 2023: Experimentation of hydrogen storage in a salt cavern and start hydrogen production.
First project period (M1 to M18):
• WP1 Activities completed. 3 reports produced.
• WP2: Tools and methods were elaborated: D2.3 with details on the implementation of the tightness test at cavern EZ53; Case studies of various caverns and an exemplary load case (D2.1); Proposal for the Cyclic Test Program of cavern EZ53 (D2.2); Finalisation of the numerical models describing the setup and calibration of representative models considering the actual cavern configuration of EZ53 as well as appropriate material properties of the cavern surroundings.All modelling work at EZ53 (D2.4).
• WP3: The engineering (basic and detailed) was completed, tendering contracts for the surface and subsurface works were awarded, permits were granted, construction started.
• WP4 started earlier than planned with a preliminary report finalised in May 2022.
• WP5 : the risks and safety works for the start of the construction completed. Comparison of the numerical modelling to cavern storage risk evaluation. Authorisation requests to start construction. Evaluation of how the numerical models developed in Tasks 2.1 and 2.2 and integrating the thermodynamical and geomechanical behaviour of hydrogen-filled salt caverns improved the estimation and evaluation of risks performed in Task 5.1
• WP6 and WP7 : All necessary processes, tools and materials were developed: dissemination activities, dissemination and communication plan, amendment to add Equinor and Brouard Consulting.
During the second project period (M19 to M36), progresses continued :
• WP1 : already completed
• WP2 : KAVPOOL software model was improved to support the blowout modelling of WP5. Relevant cavern configurations have been submitted (D2.5). Submission of D2.7 and D2.8.
• WP3 :
-The construction phase for H2 and EZ 53 platforms started in July-August 2022.
-All works have been carried out and all procured equipment have been installed and connected. As of Decembre 2023, only activities related to closing out punch list items of the various works contracts were under way.
-The delivery of the electrolyser, stacks and compressor was delayed, leading to a proposal for an extension of the project. The electrolyser was delivered but without the stacks, expected in April 2024.
-The nitrogen leak test took place end of 2023, with positive results, confirming the possibility of carrying out tests with hydrogen as a next step.
-6 deliverables were submitted (see "Deliverables" section)
• WP4 activities : first draft of D4.1 “Cost of hydrogen storage in salt cavern”. The model for Task 4.2 was further developed and refined.
• WP5 activities :
- scientific papers submitted.
-Blowout numerical computations completed (task 5.2). The analysis on feedback related to human and organization factors and feedbacks on industrial risks (task 5.4) have started.
-Numerical computations related to the study of worst-case scenarios, to assess the long-term consequences of constant pressure conditions on the mechanical stability of hydrogen gas storage salt caverns (task 5.2).
-Comparative cross-country assessment of permitting requirements and public guidance on geological hydrogen storage across 6 European countries (task 5.5).
-3 deliverables were submitted (see "Deliverables" section)
• WP6 activities : successful HyPSTER inauguration on 15th September 2023, with the participation of the CEO of ENGIE Group, and the Vice-President of Région Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Continuous update of social media, website and scientific publications. 9th and 10th Strategic Intelligence Bulletins were published, as well as D6.6 , D6.9 D6.4 preparation of a second workshop. More than 300 dissemination activities since the beginning of the project.
• WP7 : second amendment to extend the project of 1 year. 22 deliverables reviewed, 2 interim reports submitted, 2 General Assembly and 14 Steering Committees organized.
• WP8 :a second sampling in March 2023, subjected to the same testing procedure as the first set of samples.
• WP1 Activities completed. 3 reports produced.
• WP2: Tools and methods were elaborated: D2.3 with details on the implementation of the tightness test at cavern EZ53; Case studies of various caverns and an exemplary load case (D2.1); Proposal for the Cyclic Test Program of cavern EZ53 (D2.2); Finalisation of the numerical models describing the setup and calibration of representative models considering the actual cavern configuration of EZ53 as well as appropriate material properties of the cavern surroundings.All modelling work at EZ53 (D2.4).
• WP3: The engineering (basic and detailed) was completed, tendering contracts for the surface and subsurface works were awarded, permits were granted, construction started.
• WP4 started earlier than planned with a preliminary report finalised in May 2022.
• WP5 : the risks and safety works for the start of the construction completed. Comparison of the numerical modelling to cavern storage risk evaluation. Authorisation requests to start construction. Evaluation of how the numerical models developed in Tasks 2.1 and 2.2 and integrating the thermodynamical and geomechanical behaviour of hydrogen-filled salt caverns improved the estimation and evaluation of risks performed in Task 5.1
• WP6 and WP7 : All necessary processes, tools and materials were developed: dissemination activities, dissemination and communication plan, amendment to add Equinor and Brouard Consulting.
During the second project period (M19 to M36), progresses continued :
• WP1 : already completed
• WP2 : KAVPOOL software model was improved to support the blowout modelling of WP5. Relevant cavern configurations have been submitted (D2.5). Submission of D2.7 and D2.8.
• WP3 :
-The construction phase for H2 and EZ 53 platforms started in July-August 2022.
-All works have been carried out and all procured equipment have been installed and connected. As of Decembre 2023, only activities related to closing out punch list items of the various works contracts were under way.
-The delivery of the electrolyser, stacks and compressor was delayed, leading to a proposal for an extension of the project. The electrolyser was delivered but without the stacks, expected in April 2024.
-The nitrogen leak test took place end of 2023, with positive results, confirming the possibility of carrying out tests with hydrogen as a next step.
-6 deliverables were submitted (see "Deliverables" section)
• WP4 activities : first draft of D4.1 “Cost of hydrogen storage in salt cavern”. The model for Task 4.2 was further developed and refined.
• WP5 activities :
- scientific papers submitted.
-Blowout numerical computations completed (task 5.2). The analysis on feedback related to human and organization factors and feedbacks on industrial risks (task 5.4) have started.
-Numerical computations related to the study of worst-case scenarios, to assess the long-term consequences of constant pressure conditions on the mechanical stability of hydrogen gas storage salt caverns (task 5.2).
-Comparative cross-country assessment of permitting requirements and public guidance on geological hydrogen storage across 6 European countries (task 5.5).
-3 deliverables were submitted (see "Deliverables" section)
• WP6 activities : successful HyPSTER inauguration on 15th September 2023, with the participation of the CEO of ENGIE Group, and the Vice-President of Région Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Continuous update of social media, website and scientific publications. 9th and 10th Strategic Intelligence Bulletins were published, as well as D6.6 , D6.9 D6.4 preparation of a second workshop. More than 300 dissemination activities since the beginning of the project.
• WP7 : second amendment to extend the project of 1 year. 22 deliverables reviewed, 2 interim reports submitted, 2 General Assembly and 14 Steering Committees organized.
• WP8 :a second sampling in March 2023, subjected to the same testing procedure as the first set of samples.
HyPSTER responds to Clean H2 JU’s Techno-economic objective 4 from the Multi-Annual Work Plan (MAWP) 2014-2020: to demonstrate on a large scale the feasibility of using hydrogen to support integration of renewable energy sources into the energy systems, including through its use as a competitive energy storage medium for electricity produced from renewable energy sources.
Impact 1: Demonstrate the cyclic operation of a salt cavern when subjected to hydrogen input variations that respect typical variations in renewable power generation and energy demand (e.g. hydrogen consumption by industry, hydrogen mobility, heat or power generation), as well as the possible impact in the gas transportation system
Impact 2: Establish the technical feasibility of safe and effective underground storage of renewable hydrogen by considering the possible geological and environmental issues, and the operational, inspection and maintenance requirements (e.g. the range of pressure levels required, degradation, humidity levels, etc.)
Impact 3: Evaluate the scalability of renewable hydrogen storage for large scale replication and propose the engineering of specific solutions
Impact 4: Clarify issues relating to hydrogen purity and composition after the injection/extraction processes, the geological and the environmental impacts, pressure level variations and the level of measurement/instrumentation required among other issues
Impact 5: Aim to reach the 2020 H2 storage MAWP target of System CAPEX of €450/kg of H2 stored or an additional cost to H2 released of €1/kg.
Impact 1: Demonstrate the cyclic operation of a salt cavern when subjected to hydrogen input variations that respect typical variations in renewable power generation and energy demand (e.g. hydrogen consumption by industry, hydrogen mobility, heat or power generation), as well as the possible impact in the gas transportation system
Impact 2: Establish the technical feasibility of safe and effective underground storage of renewable hydrogen by considering the possible geological and environmental issues, and the operational, inspection and maintenance requirements (e.g. the range of pressure levels required, degradation, humidity levels, etc.)
Impact 3: Evaluate the scalability of renewable hydrogen storage for large scale replication and propose the engineering of specific solutions
Impact 4: Clarify issues relating to hydrogen purity and composition after the injection/extraction processes, the geological and the environmental impacts, pressure level variations and the level of measurement/instrumentation required among other issues
Impact 5: Aim to reach the 2020 H2 storage MAWP target of System CAPEX of €450/kg of H2 stored or an additional cost to H2 released of €1/kg.