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Low Emission Energy & Technologies Visual Presentation L1: The surface challenges of underground hydrogen storage – pre-feasibility studies at the Otway International Test Centre, Victoria

David Whittam A *
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A CO2CRC Limited, PO Box 24121, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.

* Correspondence to: david.whittam@co2crc.com.au

The APPEA Journal 63 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22434
Published: 2 June 2023

Abstract

Visual Presentation L1

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) has the potential to overcome the infrastructure and safety challenges of large-scale hydrogen storage, support long-term supply security and decrease delivery costs through economies of scale. Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline aquifers are likely to be significant contributors to UHS capacity in Australia. The principles of subsurface hydrogen storage in porous reservoir rocks are based on experience from both natural gas and carbon dioxide storage projects. However, as field-scale testing is required to demonstrate and mature the technology, a pre-feasibility study of the potential for an early UHS demonstration at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) has been undertaken. Pre-feasibility studies have shown that while the characterisation of the subsurface storage reservoir is the most important aspect of the site-selection process, above-ground factors, such as facilities design, the logistics of hydrogen supply and the regulatory environment, significantly affect project design. Existing technologies require only minor adaptation to provide the surface infrastructure for a UHS project, but the logistics of hydrogen supply may be a significant factor in the scope of a demonstration project.

To access the Visual Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Keywords: depleted gas reservoir, geological storage, hydrogen, hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen supply, hydrogen transport, pilot project, regulation, underground hydrogen storage.

David Whittam leads CO2CRC’s UHS activities as Program Manager, Hydrogen. Before joining CO2CRC in 2022, David was employed by the Geological Survey of Victoria, prior to which he worked as a petroleum geologist in Australia and overseas. David holds degrees from the University of Bristol and University College London.