Research project HyCAVmobil

Hydrogen Cavern for Mobility – Investigation of salt caverns as potential storage locations for hydrogen

Credit:

BMDV

The energy transition requires new solutions for storing energy. Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important energy source within the energy transition, including for coupling the mobility, heating and electricity sectors. The development of suitable storage technologies is required to ensure the safe and efficient long-term storage of hydrogen. The HyCAVmobil (Hydrogen Cavern for Mobility) research project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, is investigating the storage of hydrogen in salt caverns in Germany and the subsequent use of hydrogen in the field of fuel cell mobility. The results of the project are intended to contribute to securing a sustainable energy supply.

Reasearch project HyCAVmobil

 

Duration

June 2019 to May 2024

Funded by

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport in NIP II (National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology) with NOW GmbH (National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology) as coordinator

Project participants

  • EWE Gasspeicher GmbH
  • Institute of Networked Energy Systems

Salt caverns are formed as a result of salt mining from natural underground salt domes. Cavities are formed through the so-called leaching process. These already serve as long-term storage facilities for various energy sources such as crude oil and natural gas. The HyCAVmobil project is testing the conditions under which pure hydrogen can also be stored in caverns. To this end, the project participants are using a test cavern under controlled conditions to test the influence of pressure and temperature on the quality and purity of the hydrogen. They are also carrying out material analyses to ensure the safety of hydrogen storage in salt caverns.

In the HyCAVmobil project, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems is focussing on the technical and scientific issues associated with the storage of hydrogen in salt caverns. For example, the researchers are analysing the materials used to store and transport hydrogen and testing their quality before and after storage in the cavern. They are also developing gas purification measures to ensure that the stored hydrogen can be used directly in fuel cell vehicles. Another important research focus is the integration of an H2 cavern into the energy system, whereby the researchers describe the requirements for a system-compliant integration of the facilities into a higher-level energy system and develop strategies for the operation of the cavern facility.

Contact

Sector Integration – Mobility

Research Group
Institute of Networked Energy Systems