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Hydrogen storage: Key to security of supply and climate neutrality in AustriaIn the course of the energy transition, hydrogen is becoming a key energy source for industry, energy supply and system stability. Storage plays a crucial role in ensuring that it is available and economically viable all year round. The new study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET) ‘Hydrogen Storage in Austria’ shows what storage requirements can be expected by 2040 and what technological, economic and legal framework conditions are crucial for this. According to the Austrian Network Infrastructure Plan (ÖNIP), hydrogen demand will rise from around 5 TWh in 2030 to 48 TWh in 2040. The main drivers for this are the steel industry (21 TWh), flexible gas-fired power plants (13 TWh) and industrial use as a source of energy and raw materials (12 TWh). At the same time, storage demand will also grow significantly: from around 1.2 TWh in 2030 to 6.8 TWh in 2035 and 7.7 TWh in 2040. The majority of this is to be used as so-called annual storage. Hydrogen will be stored in summer when renewable electricity production is high and converted back into electricity in power plants in winter. The impact on security of supply is particularly clear: according to the study's findings, if there were no imports for six months in 2040, almost twice as much storage capacity would have to be provided as in the assumed reference case. Hydrogen storage facilities are therefore a key reserve in the energy system. Technologically, the study sees the greatest potential in porous storage sites, especially in depleted gas fields. Caverns or aquifers are hardly an option due to geological conditions. In the short to medium term, the realistic storage potential is 3.2 to 5 TWh, and in the long term, over 30 TWh. There are still uncertainties from an economic perspective: the study estimates the levelised cost of storage (LCOS) at €42–127/MWh, which is still a fairly wide range. Due to the lower energy density of hydrogen, storage fees are likely to be higher than for natural gas. There is a significant need for action in terms of the legal framework. Austria currently lacks a clearly regulated approval regime for geological hydrogen storage facilities. The study therefore recommends legal adjustments to create investment security and planning power. Conclusion: Hydrogen storage facilities are an indispensable backbone of a climate-neutral energy system. Austria has the necessary geological conditions for hydrogen storage, not only for national but also for European demand. Clear rules and a coordinated infrastructure strategy are now crucial to ensure stable demand. Click here for the full study: (German only) https://www.bmwet.gv.at/dam/jcr:b8f68e4d-ac2d-4175-a0fc-84b64a803e44/Wasserstoffspeicher%20in%20%C3%96sterreich.pdf |
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