Can hydrogen be stored in porous rock?

Above: Drilling site at Bierwang, where the HyStorage research project will be carried out. (Source: Uniper Energy Storage)

For this purpose, a specialised test unit has been installed at Uniper Energy Storage’s Bierwang site. Hydrogen was to be injected from September onwards.

Uniper Energy Storage is the consortium leader, operator and responsible for the test under German mining law. The consortium also includes OGE, RAG Austria, SEFE (Securing Energy for Europe) and NAFTA, and is also supported by partners from industry and science. The project has been approved by the Southern Bavarian Mining Authority.

The plan is to inject different methane-hydrogen gas mixtures, 5%, 10% and 25% hydrogen content in natural gas, into a former natural gas reservoir. The reservoir is independent of the existing Bierwang natural gas storage facility.