The 100 cubic metre storage facility, said to be the first of its kind in the world, is set to be tested for two-years with a goal of contributing to the value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production.
H2 View understands, the facility could be scaled to 120,000 cubic metres, storing up to 100GWh of electricity converted to hydrogen gas, which the companies say could power a full-sized sponge iron factory for three to four days.
Sponge iron is the basis of steel manufacturing. Produced through the reduction of iron ore to metallic iron through reaction with carbon at high temperatures Typically processed coal, hydrogen can be used to dramatically reduce emissions in the process.
Read more: HYBRIT Produces world’s first hydrogen-reduced sponge iron at pilot scale
Constructed 30 metres below ground, the storage was achieved through the Lined Rock Cavern (LRC) technique, which lined the walls of the cavern with a sealing layer.
Andreas Regnell, Chairman of Hybrit Development AB’s (HDAB) Board, and Senior Vice-President of Vattenfall, said, “We want to develop HYBRIT so that it is in line with the electricity system of the future, with more weather-dependent electricity generation.
“The storage facility is unique and once again the HYBRIT initiative is taking the lead in the fossil-free transition. HYBRIT is very important for facing the climate challenge and enabling fossil-free living within one generation.”
The project is hoped to provide crucial information to aid the decarbonisation of heavy industry, such as steel production.
Martin Pei, Chief Technical Officer at SSAB, said, “We want to develop HYBRIT so that it is in line with the electricity system of the future, with more weather-dependent electricity generation.
“The storage facility is unique and once again the HYBRIT initiative is taking the lead in the fossil-free transition. HYBRIT is very important for facing the climate challenge and enabling fossil-free living within one generation.”
Lars Ydreskog, Senior Vice-President of Strategic Projects at LKAB, commented, “The pilot plant is important in order to really test and understand how large-scale hydrogen storage works.
“Storage of hydrogen gas will be an important piece of the puzzle for a fossil-free value chain for the iron and steel industry, but also in a future robust electrical system.”