Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FrHyGe (Full qualification in France of large-scale HYdrogen underground storage and replication from Germany to all European countries)
Période du rapport: 2024-03-01 au 2025-08-31
FrHyGe is dedicated to validating large-scale underground H2 storage (UHS) in salt caverns. Since March 2024, FrHyGe is led by a European consortium (17 partners) and coordinated by Storengy (StoSAS).
Building on insights from the work of the HyPSTER project, demonstration of the conversion of a 44-ton salt cavern into an UHS facility, StoSAS now focuses on:
1) Scaling up to convert larger caverns
2) Developing an extensive network of UHS across Europe to align with EU energy ambitions
Building on insights from the work of the HyPSTER project, demonstration of the conversion of a 44-ton salt cavern into an UHS facility, StoSAS now focuses on:
1) Scaling up to convert larger caverns
2) Developing an extensive network of UHS across Europe to align with EU energy ambitions
WP1: Project management & coordination
- Set up tools to monitor project progress & Partner compliance with the Grant Agreement; & support technical, strategic, administrative, financial, & contractual coordination; both within the Consortium & with the CH JU. ERM was hired to support (PMO)
- A regularly updated collaborative platform enables internal communication (Partners & Work Packages (WP)) & keeps Partners informed of their roles/obligations
- Structured meetings ensure effective communication with a shared, updated project schedule
- A project plans were drafted to guide project Quality & Risk management
WP2: Manosque Demonstrator objectives; conceptual design; scientific developments; & application to industrial scale replicators
- WP2 partners started collecting data on caverns GA & GB (Manosque)
- Methodologies for subsurface, skid unit & surface designs were published
- Armines is gathering data for an experimental program
- Other partners advanced R&D on replication & H2 storage modelling using sonar data, including predictive cavern cycle modelling
- Partners proposed a Mechanical Integrity Test (MIT) & tightness test for the demonstrator, & developed a bench to study H2 dissolution in brine & water vaporization kinetics
- Replicability activities started in Harsefeld (Germany), building on insights from current/ past projects to explore storage facility development at this location
- Collaborating with WP5 (T5.3) WP2 partners initiated permitting discussions with competent authorities (DREAL)
WP3: Demonstration TRL8 of H2 storage & cyclability in gas cavern
WP3 activities are related to developing the Demonstrator & fed by the preliminary definition & conceptual design studies produced in April 2025 (WP2)
- The basis of design of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) started in sequence for surface facilities
- Partners involved participated in:
1. discussions on the pilot conceptual design
2. the basis of design for the FEED with a new optimized set of operating conditions
- Meetings/ discussions occurred for the different package interfaces
- Contacts with Geosel are pursued to access information on brine facilities & request support for brine supply/disposal during well integrity tests (MIT) & cycling period
- For the subsurface, progress was made on MIT detailed program & on the H2 wellhead & completion design
WP4: From regional implementation to market integration along EU H2 value chain
WP4 first developed storylines for 2 replication projects (deliverable D4.1):
1. GeoH2: Based on desk research, interviews & workshops, as well as expertise from StoSAS, NaTran & Capenergies. The analysis covers H2 production, offtake, import/export (incl. cross-border), & electricity network constraints in Southeastern France
2. SaltHy: context was more challenging (fewer FrHyGe partners directly involved in the discussions about the project’s offtake and its implementation in a regional H2 hub). However, a methodological scope was validated; storyline implementation is planned for H2 2025
WP4 then focused on the preparation of modelling (tasks 4.2 & 4.4):
- Reviewed existing CBA methodologies to identify UHS services & define indicators. This 1st bibliographic review led to a draft CBA with key H2 storage values
- Identified model improvements needed for CBA & replication studies, & analyzed recent transition scenarios (TYNDP 2024)
WP5: Environmental, safety & regulatory assessment
WP5 aims at demonstrating the safety & environmental acceptability of UHS at Manosque & preparing for replication at Harsefeld. Significant progress was achieved through objectives & tasks monitoring & planning, & deliverable preparation & completion:
- Environmental impact assessment for the demonstrator (D5.7)
- Hydrogen safety planning & management (D5.9)
- Safety & risk assessment through Probability Risk Assessments, blowout modelling, & seismic surveillance (D5.11) confirming the demonstrator’s acceptability within regulatory safety thresholds
- Permitting & environmental documentation advanced (updated impact assessments, regulatory alignment with DREAL, & development of a robust Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) framework to quantify & monetize environmental effects)
WP6: Communication, dissemination, exploitation
WP6 coordinates communication, dissemination & exploitation activities to ensure visibility, knowledge sharing & long-term use of FrHyGe results.
- Brand identity & communication tools were created to strengthen the project’s visibility & coherence
- The PEDR-C plan, including an initial Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) overview, was established early to guide partners. FrHyGe’s website, LinkedIn & newsletters provide updates & cross-interviews with partners, reaching FrHyGe's target audience.
- FrHyGe has been showcased at 1 major European H2 event & 15 conferences/workshops, with scientific publications & partner interventions increasing awareness of UHS solutions
- 1st report on knowledge sharing & dissemination activities delivered, identifying target groups, main dissemination activities & achieved results since project start
- Set up tools to monitor project progress & Partner compliance with the Grant Agreement; & support technical, strategic, administrative, financial, & contractual coordination; both within the Consortium & with the CH JU. ERM was hired to support (PMO)
- A regularly updated collaborative platform enables internal communication (Partners & Work Packages (WP)) & keeps Partners informed of their roles/obligations
- Structured meetings ensure effective communication with a shared, updated project schedule
- A project plans were drafted to guide project Quality & Risk management
WP2: Manosque Demonstrator objectives; conceptual design; scientific developments; & application to industrial scale replicators
- WP2 partners started collecting data on caverns GA & GB (Manosque)
- Methodologies for subsurface, skid unit & surface designs were published
- Armines is gathering data for an experimental program
- Other partners advanced R&D on replication & H2 storage modelling using sonar data, including predictive cavern cycle modelling
- Partners proposed a Mechanical Integrity Test (MIT) & tightness test for the demonstrator, & developed a bench to study H2 dissolution in brine & water vaporization kinetics
- Replicability activities started in Harsefeld (Germany), building on insights from current/ past projects to explore storage facility development at this location
- Collaborating with WP5 (T5.3) WP2 partners initiated permitting discussions with competent authorities (DREAL)
WP3: Demonstration TRL8 of H2 storage & cyclability in gas cavern
WP3 activities are related to developing the Demonstrator & fed by the preliminary definition & conceptual design studies produced in April 2025 (WP2)
- The basis of design of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) started in sequence for surface facilities
- Partners involved participated in:
1. discussions on the pilot conceptual design
2. the basis of design for the FEED with a new optimized set of operating conditions
- Meetings/ discussions occurred for the different package interfaces
- Contacts with Geosel are pursued to access information on brine facilities & request support for brine supply/disposal during well integrity tests (MIT) & cycling period
- For the subsurface, progress was made on MIT detailed program & on the H2 wellhead & completion design
WP4: From regional implementation to market integration along EU H2 value chain
WP4 first developed storylines for 2 replication projects (deliverable D4.1):
1. GeoH2: Based on desk research, interviews & workshops, as well as expertise from StoSAS, NaTran & Capenergies. The analysis covers H2 production, offtake, import/export (incl. cross-border), & electricity network constraints in Southeastern France
2. SaltHy: context was more challenging (fewer FrHyGe partners directly involved in the discussions about the project’s offtake and its implementation in a regional H2 hub). However, a methodological scope was validated; storyline implementation is planned for H2 2025
WP4 then focused on the preparation of modelling (tasks 4.2 & 4.4):
- Reviewed existing CBA methodologies to identify UHS services & define indicators. This 1st bibliographic review led to a draft CBA with key H2 storage values
- Identified model improvements needed for CBA & replication studies, & analyzed recent transition scenarios (TYNDP 2024)
WP5: Environmental, safety & regulatory assessment
WP5 aims at demonstrating the safety & environmental acceptability of UHS at Manosque & preparing for replication at Harsefeld. Significant progress was achieved through objectives & tasks monitoring & planning, & deliverable preparation & completion:
- Environmental impact assessment for the demonstrator (D5.7)
- Hydrogen safety planning & management (D5.9)
- Safety & risk assessment through Probability Risk Assessments, blowout modelling, & seismic surveillance (D5.11) confirming the demonstrator’s acceptability within regulatory safety thresholds
- Permitting & environmental documentation advanced (updated impact assessments, regulatory alignment with DREAL, & development of a robust Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) framework to quantify & monetize environmental effects)
WP6: Communication, dissemination, exploitation
WP6 coordinates communication, dissemination & exploitation activities to ensure visibility, knowledge sharing & long-term use of FrHyGe results.
- Brand identity & communication tools were created to strengthen the project’s visibility & coherence
- The PEDR-C plan, including an initial Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) overview, was established early to guide partners. FrHyGe’s website, LinkedIn & newsletters provide updates & cross-interviews with partners, reaching FrHyGe's target audience.
- FrHyGe has been showcased at 1 major European H2 event & 15 conferences/workshops, with scientific publications & partner interventions increasing awareness of UHS solutions
- 1st report on knowledge sharing & dissemination activities delivered, identifying target groups, main dissemination activities & achieved results since project start
WP1
- The kick-off meeting (20/03/24) established the project & consortium's governance
- 2 General Assemblies were carried out & instrumental in exchanging key information & early results between partners
WP2 & WP3
- The Manosque Demonstrator’s conceptual design has been defined
- The basis of design for the surface installations has been set
WP4
- GeoH2’s storyline was implemented. SaltHy’s storyline was defined & validated (identification of key data sources)
WP5
- Hazard & Integrity Bounding: Completion of Preliminary Risk Analysis for MIT, initiation of cycling PRA. Quantitative bounding of cavern stability following a H2 blowout, demonstrates that integrity risks are localized & highly dependent on the well discharge path
- Permitting & Environmental Validation: Agreement on the regulatory pathway with DREAL; completion of the Ecological Issues Report, concluding the project's non-significant residual impact on the Natura 2000 site following mitigation
- Monitoring Framework: Issuance of the seismic surveillance plan (D5.11) confirming the fitness-for-purpose of existing network
- Advanced Environmental Assessment: Establishment of a static/dynamic LCA architecture incorporating risk-based emissions modeling & preparation of the monetization framework for CBA integration
WP6
- All initial milestones & key information shared on social media
- An online resource has been published to share project’s results
- A knowledge-sharing & dissemination strategy has been set up & is regularly monitored
- Project presented at +15 events
- The kick-off meeting (20/03/24) established the project & consortium's governance
- 2 General Assemblies were carried out & instrumental in exchanging key information & early results between partners
WP2 & WP3
- The Manosque Demonstrator’s conceptual design has been defined
- The basis of design for the surface installations has been set
WP4
- GeoH2’s storyline was implemented. SaltHy’s storyline was defined & validated (identification of key data sources)
WP5
- Hazard & Integrity Bounding: Completion of Preliminary Risk Analysis for MIT, initiation of cycling PRA. Quantitative bounding of cavern stability following a H2 blowout, demonstrates that integrity risks are localized & highly dependent on the well discharge path
- Permitting & Environmental Validation: Agreement on the regulatory pathway with DREAL; completion of the Ecological Issues Report, concluding the project's non-significant residual impact on the Natura 2000 site following mitigation
- Monitoring Framework: Issuance of the seismic surveillance plan (D5.11) confirming the fitness-for-purpose of existing network
- Advanced Environmental Assessment: Establishment of a static/dynamic LCA architecture incorporating risk-based emissions modeling & preparation of the monetization framework for CBA integration
WP6
- All initial milestones & key information shared on social media
- An online resource has been published to share project’s results
- A knowledge-sharing & dissemination strategy has been set up & is regularly monitored
- Project presented at +15 events