Uniper SE is developing a project to store 100% hydrogen in the former Krummhörn natural gas storage salt cavern in northern Germany. Commissioning of a 250,000-cu m demonstration plant is planned for 2024.
Development of the demonstration plant will involve sinking a new cavern using an existing well. Krummhörn has not been used commercially since 2017. Uniper estimates the cost of the project at €10 million ($10.88 million)
Uniper says that Krummhörn’s proximity to Wilhelmshaven, Germany, will allow connection to its Green Wilhelmshaven project, as part of which the company is developing two projects for green hydrogen production. The first of these is an ammonia import terminal which will be able to convert the ammonia back into hydrogen. In the second project, Uniper plans to develop a 1,000-Mw electrolysis plant to produce green hydrogen.
Managing director Uniper Energy Storage, Doug Waters says: "Uniper has decided to move forward with this project independent of other funded projects in order to test the technology and processes as quickly as possible. Our goal is to develop a storage solution for green hydrogen on a commercial scale and later offer it on the market. The storage capability of green electricity is one of the core issues of the energy transition and an essential building block for a CO2-free future."
Uniper is also developing and LNG terminal at Wilhelmshaven. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine it was going to be used for hydrogen imports as part of Green Wilhelmshaven (OGJ Online, Mar. 2, 2022). Now both projects are advancing.
