H2CAST Etzel Project Completes Hydrogen Filling of Salt Cavern Storage Pilot

STORAG ETZEL and Gasunie have completed hydrogen injection into two salt caverns at the Etzel site in Germany, marking a significant milestone for the H2CAST Etzel pilot project. The injection totaled approximately 90 tonnes, equivalent to 1 million standard cubic meters of hydrogen, following the unloading of 200 trailers.

The caverns have undergone conversion for hydrogen storage and are undergoing continuous monitoring for tightness and integrity. The consortium is constructing above-ground facilities for gas purification, compression, and gas quality monitoring—systems newly designed for hydrogen applications.

The pilot test plant is scheduled to begin initial testing in 2026, during which the partners will evaluate various gas purification methods and their efficiency. The H2CAST Etzel project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of underground hydrogen storage, including multi-cycle cavern operations and hydrogen purification processes.

The filling process began in 2023 and faced early-stage challenges in the German hydrogen market, including limited high-pressure trailer availability and filling stations above 200 bar. Deliveries initially covered distances up to 1,000 km. During the project period, the consortium secured hydrogen supply from a nearby producer, reducing logistics and production costs.

Carsten Reekers, Project Manager at STORAG ETZEL, stated the milestone reflected adherence to the site's high safety standards. Eddy Kuperus, Business Development Manager at Gasunie, expressed confidence in the consortium's ability to advance hydrogen storage development.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Tech World. Read the full article →