Work commences on large-scale hydrogen storage in Sweden
Fossil-free hydrogen will replace coal and coke, resulting elimination of CO2 emissions
The Hybrit project is taking another step toward making fossil-free steel-making reality by commencing building work on rock cavern storage facility for fossil-free hydrogen gas, H2 Bulletin reports.
The storage facility will be developed on a pilot-scale next to Hybrit’s pilot facility for a direct reduction in Luleå, Sweden. The hydrogen storage facility is expected to be ready and operational between 2022 and 2024.
The facility will see an investment of around SEK 250 million (US$ 29.2 million), which is shared equally by the partner companies as well as the Swedish Energy Agency, which provides support via Industriklivet. Hybrit project is a consortium between Ssab, Lkab and Vattenfall, and is run through their joint venture company Hybrit Development AB, responsible for the construction of a hydrogen storage facility.
The 100 cubic metre hydrogen storage facility in an enclosed rock cavern approximately 30 metres below ground. Storong hydrogen helps balance and stabilise power demand as more hydrogen can be produced in case of excess renewable power; where renewable power is under strain, the stored hydrogen can be used to generate power.
Andreas Regnell, Head of Strategy at Vattenfall and Chairman of the Board at Hybrit, said, “We’re really pleased that Hybrit is continuing to lead the development of efficient production for fossil-free steel.”
Martin Pei, Technical Director of Ssab, said, “By developing a method for hydrogen storage and securing access to fossil-free electricity, we’re creating a value chain all the way out to customers where everything is fossil-free – from the mine to the electricity and to the finished steel.”
Lars Ydreskog, Director of Strategic Projects at Lkab, said, “Lkab will need to become Sweden’s and perhaps Europe’s biggest hydrogen producer in the future, and this pilot project provides additional valuable knowledge for the continued work in creating the world’s first fossil-free value chain for the iron and steel industry.”
