02.07.2021
The German Federal Ministry of Economics currently presents long-term scenarios that describe possible pathways for the energy transition in detail. Future hydrogen and gas storage demand is part of the investigations.
In today’s webinar on energy supply, the Ministry declared that reaching carbon-neutrality in 2050 creates a hydrogen storage demand between 47 TWh and 73 TWh (H2). Ministry consultants stated that hydrogen-based flexibility is a key technology for the energy transition. As hydrogen (3.54 kWh/m³) holds a lower calorific value than natural gas (11.1 kWh/m³), this corresponds to a momentary gas storage capacity of 147 TWh to 229 TWh (CH4).
Sebastian Bleschke, Managing Director of the Initiative Erdgasspeicher (INES) comments:
“It is very important that the Ministry of Economics develops a closer look at the energy transition in the long-term scenarios. The scenarios bring clarity in many areas. As the National Hydrogen Strategy failed to deal with storage, we are glad that there is substantial model for future storage demands now. The stated demands show clearly: Gas and Hydrogen Storage is a key part of a carbon-neutral energy system in the future. They adapt to the requirements of the energy transition. To perform necessary transitions in existing facilities and build new ones, storage system operators work closely and constructively with the authorities.”
Gas storage in Germany:
There exists a gas storage capacity of about 253 TWh in Germany today. 90 TWh correspond to porous rock storage and depleted gas fields, 163 TWh belong to cavern storage facilities. Which amount will be left after necessary transofrmation steps and how energetic storage capacity will be affected by those steps, is currently investigated by INES and other actors.